Senior U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner will travel to Doha for high-level meetings concerning Iran, the United States announced, with technical discussions also slated to occur on the sidelines. The announcement follows President Donald Trump's statement that Iran had requested a meeting in the Qatari capital.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed the participation of Special Envoy Witkoff and Jared Kushner in the talks, stating, "Special Envoy Witkoff and Jared Kushner will be flying to Doha for high-level meetings this week, as we continue to discuss the memorandum of understanding. On the sidelines of those high-level talks, will be the technical talks."
Leavitt also reiterated the U.S. commitment to the ceasefire, adding, "As far as we're concerned, we're holding up our end of the ceasefire. Violence will be met with violence."
The United States and Iran previously signed a 14-point memorandum of understanding on June 17, intended to halt four months of conflict. This accord stipulated a cessation of hostilities and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical maritime route for global energy transport.
However, recent retaliatory strikes have jeopardized this agreement. The renewed discussions come after a series of exchanges since an Iranian projectile struck a cargo vessel in the Strait on Thursday. Both nations have accused each other of violating the interim ceasefire. Leavitt commented on the escalating situation, noting, "There were attacks on commercial vessels that the United States of America, directed by the president, responded to, and that will continue to happen, but we hope we don't see that. The president obviously wants to see the peace process play out."
