US-Iran Talks Hang in Balance as Doha Meeting Remains Unconfirmed

Iranian and American negotiating teams traveled to Doha this week, though Iran’s foreign ministry insisted no formal meeting was scheduled with the US side. A spokesperson said there would be “no negotiation meetings at any level” with Washington in the coming days, even as a senior Iranian official suggested a Tuesday session focused on managing the Strait of Hormuz could still take place.

Fragile Ceasefire Under Pressure

Weekend missile exchanges tested the June 17 truce that paused a four-month war disrupting global oil flows. The US accused Iran of striking commercial ships, prompting strikes on Iranian military sites, while Iran fired back at American bases in Kuwait and Bahrain.

Congress Divided Over Briefing

Lawmakers received mixed updates from US officials, with Republicans calling it constructive and Democrats criticizing the lack of detail, particularly around Iran’s frozen assets and continued control over Hormuz shipping.

Iran’s president confirmed $6 billion of $12 billion in frozen assets held in Qatar would soon be released.