The United States and Iran are preparing to send delegations to Doha, Qatar, this week amid ongoing tensions in the Strait of Hormuz and efforts to preserve an interim agreement aimed at ending conflict in the Middle East. While U.S. officials have confirmed plans for upcoming meetings, Iranian authorities have denied that formal talks with the United States are scheduled.

U.S. President Donald Trump announced Monday on social media that Iran had requested a meeting with U.S. counterparts set to take place in Qatar on Tuesday. White House representatives, including Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and senior adviser Jared Kushner, were reported to be en route to Doha for high-level discussions. A U.S. official, speaking on condition of anonymity, indicated that both sides are seeking to de-escalate recent hostilities and allow for the free movement of vessels through the strategic waterway.

However, Iranian officials have presented a different narrative. Kazem Gharibabadi, a senior Iranian negotiator, denied that any technical talks were planned for this week, and the Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei stated that Iran’s delegation is traveling to Qatar to discuss aspects of the interim deal unrelated to meetings with the U.S. The delegation’s agenda reportedly includes the release of frozen Iranian assets held in Qatar, which Tehran views as a significant achievement. Iranian official Masoud Pezeshkian described the anticipated release of approximately $6 billion in funds as a “great victory” for the Iranian people. These assets are expected to be used to purchase food products for Iran.

Qatar and Pakistan have both played key roles as mediators in the negotiations, which focus on an interim agreement reached earlier this month. The accord calls for Iran to dilute its enriched uranium stockpile in exchange for waiving U.S.-imposed sanctions and reopening the Strait of Hormuz for commercial shipping. The agreement provides a 60-day window for the parties to negotiate a broader settlement.

The Strait of Hormuz, a vital chokepoint through which roughly one-fifth of the world’s oil passes, has been the scene of recent military exchanges. Iran has launched attacks against vessels in the strait, including one carrying Qatari crude, and carried out missile and drone strikes targeting Bahrain and Kuwait. In response, the U.S. conducted airstrikes against Iranian military assets. These hostilities temporarily disrupted the fragile ceasefire and raised concerns about the viability of the ongoing negotiations.

Oman, another regional stakeholder, announced discussions with Iran on potentially charging service fees for commercial ships transiting the strait, covering water safety, pollution prevention, and emergency response. However, Omani Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi emphasized that Oman does not support transit fees as such charges are prohibited under international law.

Tensions also extended to diplomatic friction when France announced plans to coordinate mine-clearing activities in the Strait of Hormuz. Iranian officials warned against external involvement, asserting that under the interim deal, Iran retains sole responsibility for such operations.

Separately, in Lebanon, President Joseph Aoun confirmed plans to deploy troops along the southern border as part of a framework agreement with Israel signed recently. This deal was rejected by Hezbollah, an Iranian-backed militant group that launched rockets into northern Israel earlier in March, triggering renewed conflict.

Overall, despite conflicting statements from both Washington and Tehran, the upcoming meetings in Qatar reflect ongoing attempts by the involved parties and regional intermediaries to maintain momentum toward stabilizing the region and reaching a lasting resolution.