US President Donald Trump says indirect talks with Iran in the Qatari capital Doha are going well, describing the sessions on Wednesday as "very good meetings" and saying Iran's denuclearisation is "moving along well."
The technical-level discussions — mediated by Qatar and Pakistan — are focused on the release of Tehran's frozen assets and navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, with US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner meeting regional leaders but not attending the sessions directly.
Iran's deputy foreign minister says working groups have been formed to follow up on a memorandum of understanding, but formal negotiations on a final agreement have not yet begun.
Jagruti Dave reports from Washington.
IN: “These talks are...”
OUT: “...complicated the situation.”
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Jagruti Dave in Washington says the two sides have offered competing accounts of how the latest round of talks came about — with the venue shifting from Switzerland to Doha after a series of tit-for-tat military exchanges.
IN: “On the one...”
OUT: “...changed to Doha.”
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Jagruti Dave in Washington says the prospect of releasing Iranian frozen assets as part of any deal has drawn sharp criticism from some members of the president's own party.
IN: “You have, when...”
OUT: “...continue with sanctions.”
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