Indirect talks in Doha, Qatar, between officials from the United States and Iran aimed at ending the Middle East conflict have begun, a diplomat with knowledge of the talks said Wednesday.
The diplomat, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss the sensitive talks, confirmed talks were underway after earlier saying the US and Iran would hold indirect technical talks on Wednesday in Doha with mediators from Qatar and Pakistan.
The Doha talks are based on “a memorandum of understanding, building on the progress made at the Lake Lucerne Summit,” the diplomat said, referring to the recent talks in the Swiss resort town and the dialogue framework approved by the two sides in June.
US envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff are not participating in technical talks, the diplomat added, after meeting with Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani on Tuesday.
The United States and Iran said they would send officials for the meetings in Qatar.
The accord between the United States and Iran, brokered by Qatar and Pakistan, includes a 60-day ceasefire in the war that began with an attack by the United States and Israel on February 28, the reopening of the besieged Strait of Hormuz and a deadline for a final agreement to end the war and reach an agreement on Iran’s nuclear program.
