Iran to Discuss Asset Unfreezing with Qatar, Denies Direct Talks with US

Iran has announced that its officials will meet with Qatari mediators in Doha on Wednesday to discuss the implementation of a memorandum of understanding with the United States, including the unfreezing of Iranian assets. However, Tehran has stressed that it will not engage in direct talks with Washington. Foreign Ministry Spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei stated that the discussions in Doha will focus on implementing certain provisions of the memorandum of understanding, according to state broadcaster IRIB. “What will take place in Doha tomorrow is a discussion on the implementation of the provisions of the memorandum of understanding, including the unfreezing of Iranian assets, which will be discussed with the Qatari side,” Baghaei said. He emphasised that Iran has no plans to meet with the American side at any level in the coming days. The statement followed Qatar’s disclosure that US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner were in Doha to meet with mediators and discuss the progress of negotiations with Iran. Qatari Foreign Ministry Spokesman Majed Al-Ansari said the release of $6 billion out of a total of $12 billion in frozen Iranian assets would be determined based on an agreement between the United States and Iran. He also confirmed that the funds have not yet been transferred to Tehran. According to Al-Ansari, the issue of the frozen assets is closely linked to the progress of negotiations between Washington and Tehran. The memorandum of understanding between the United States and Iran, mediated by Pakistan, came into effect on 18 June after being electronically signed by Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and US President Donald Trump. The agreement serves as a framework for ending hostilities and resolving various issues between Washington and Tehran through negotiations, including efforts to cease hostilities, ease sanctions, resolve the nuclear issue, reopen the Strait of Hormuz, and establish broader regional security arrangements.