Iran says no technical meeting with the U.S. is expected in the coming days

On Monday, Iran’s foreign ministry denied claims that Iranian and American technical teams would convene in the coming days to discuss implementing the Middle East ceasefire deal.

Both sides have exchanged fire in the Gulf recently, testing the fragile ceasefire.

Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi, quoted by state TV, said, “No technical meetings of the working groups are planned for this week,” referring to the Iranian week ending on Friday.

American news site Axios, citing U.S. officials, reported on Sunday that Tehran and Washington were expected to meet in Qatar on Tuesday to address their dispute over the strategic Strait of Hormuz.

CNN reported similar remarks from a Trump administration official, though the White House has yet to issue an official statement.

Qatar, together with Pakistan, has served as a mediator in talks between Iran and the United States aimed at ending the Middle East war.

The latest discussions between Tehran and Washington took place in Switzerland on June 21, with delegations from all four countries in attendance.

Qatar, located across the Gulf from Iran, plays a key role in the financial aspects of the negotiations.

Iran holds assets there that have been frozen due to U.S. sanctions.

On Monday, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said the necessary steps to unfreeze these funds were “underway.”

He added, “In accordance with established plans, $6 billion out of the total $12 billion held in Qatar will be released and returned to the country,” quoted by the presidency.