Media: Iran rejects direct talks with US in Doha

Iranian and American officials held parallel discussions with Qatari mediators in Doha over the past two days, while Tehran simultaneously rejected the idea of direct talks with the United States, Axios reports, citing a regional source.

“The Qataris tried to arrange a trilateral meeting to directly negotiate on the remaining gaps, but the Iranians refused,” the source noted.

Qatari mediators visited Tehran on June 10 for discussions with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and other senior officials in an effort to revive stalled negotiations.

Two US officials said they expected the June 9 strikes to push Iran to respond to President Donald Trump’s proposal, adding that his warnings were part of the same strategy.

"The deal is still on the table, but the president is ready to make the Iranians pay a price if they continue to delay and drag their feet," a US official stressed.

By Jeyhun Aghazada