In late June, the negotiating teams of the United States and Iran arrived in Doha, Qatar, to work out an implementation of the agreement to end the U.S.-Iran War. The United States sent President Donald Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner, and envoy Steve Witkoff, while Iran sent its technical delegation. Despite this, there is currently no plan for the two sides to meet directly. Instead, both sides are meeting with Qatari negotiators to build on negotiations from the memorandum agreed on June 17th, specifically related to the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, the release of $6 billion in Iranian frozen assets, and the securing of a lasting ceasefire.

The Trump Administration has pushed for direct talks, with Trump posting on his Truth Social platform that “Iran has requested a meeting. It will take place tomorrow [Tuesday, June 30th] in Doha!” However, Iran’s Foreign Affairs Ministry spokesperson, Esmaeil Baghaei, has said that “we [Iran] will not have any negotiation meetings at any level with the American side in the coming days.” 

The refusal of the two sides to meet directly highlights the fragility of peaceful diplomacy in the conflict. Direct diplomacy is critical because it allows participants to express their positions, clarify misunderstandings, and build trust. Furthermore, while the memorandum’s goal was to find a peaceful end to the conflict, both sides have violated it. Iran has repeatedly threatened to close the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow waterway that previously carried about a fifth of the world’s oil trade. Meanwhile, both the United States and Iran resumed bombing campaigns. Despite this, it is crucial for both countries to take advantage of talks with Qatari mediators in order to find a peaceful way to implement the agreement. Ending the war peacefully is essential to protecting civilian lives in the Middle East and restoring market prosperity and oil prices worldwide. The priority for both countries must be civilian well-being. 

Plans for renewed talks come in light of a June 17th accord to pause the United States-Iran War. The war was launched on February 28th, 2026, when the U.S. and Israel attacked Iran. Iran retaliated, attacking U.S. military bases in Gulf States and closing the Strait of Hormuz. Since then, maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has come to a virtual standstill, significantly disrupting global markets and oil trade. In April, a ceasefire was implemented, which was later extended with a 14-point interim accord on June 17th. These accords were meant to halt the war while setting up 60 days of negotiations for a permanent peace deal. However, progress has halted due to disputes over the future of the Strait of Hormuz and each side accusing the other of violating the agreed terms. The U.S. accused Iran of hitting commercial ships before bombing Iranian military facilities in response. In return, Iran launched missiles and drones at U.S. military sites in Kuwait and Bahrain. Meanwhile, Israel has not joined the U.S.-Iran peace talks, and limited fighting has continued between Israel and Lebanon, complicating efforts to end the war. 

While negotiations in Qatar mark a positive step forward, it is critical that meetings are established between Iran and the United States. These meetings will allow for direct communication and understanding between the sides. Furthermore, peaceful negotiations are essential for resolving conflicts in ways that are agreeable for all parties while benefiting civilians. Moving forward, it is critical for negotiations to acknowledge the well-being of civilians and for both sides to uphold the terms agreed to ensure a peaceful resolution of the war.