Witkoff, Kushner to travel to Doha for high-level Iran talks

U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and senior adviser Jared Kushner will travel to Doha for high-level talks on Iran this week, the White House said, as Washington seeks to revive diplomatic efforts despite recent clashes that have strained a fragile ceasefire.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said the two officials would participate in meetings in the Qatari capital on June 30, while technical-level discussions would take place on the sidelines, Caliber.Az reports per foreign media. 

"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 told Fox News.

Earlier on June 29, President Donald Trump said in a post on social media that Iran had requested a meeting and that it would take place in Doha, without providing further details.

Leavitt said the United States remained committed to the ceasefire.

"As far as we're concerned, we're holding up our end of the ceasefire. Violence will be met with violence," she said.

The planned meeting comes after several days of strikes and counterstrikes threatened to derail the interim ceasefire. Tensions escalated after an Iranian projectile struck a cargo vessel in the strait on June 25, with both Washington and Tehran accusing each other of violating the truce.

However, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi said earlier that no technical meetings with the United States were scheduled this week, casting doubt on reports that the two sides would hold talks in Qatar.

By Sabina Mammadli