Qatari delegation arrives in Tehran for Iran-US negotiations: Iranian media
Tehran, June 14
A Qatari delegation travelled to Tehran on Sunday to examine the recent developments in diplomatic efforts involving Iran and the United States after last week's talks, according to local Iranian media.
Iranian news agency Tasnim reported that the delegation is in the Iranian capital to examine the latest developments related to the diplomatic process and has held consultations with officials of Iran.
According to ISNA, the delegation is headed by an adviser to Qatar's Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani. The visit is aimed at continuing the exchange of messages between Tehran and Washington regarding a memorandum of understanding (MoU) intended to end the war.
In Iran, dozens of people staged a demonstration outside a foreign ministry office in the north-eastern city of Mashhad, shouting slogans against top diplomat Abbas Araghchi following a televised interview concerning a potential peace agreement with the United States
This domestic outrage directly followed a broadcast on state television, where Araghchi stated that the proposed agreement includes provisions for dismantling the US naval blockade on Iranian ports, which Washington had instituted following Iran's own blockade in the Strait of Hormuz.
Protesters were seen demanding political exits, chanting "Araghchi, resign" and "Ghalibaf, resign," directed at the foreign minister and parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, who is also serving as the chief negotiator.
While Trump and Pakistani officials stated that the deal aimed at concluding the conflict could be finalised as early as Sunday, authorities in Tehran remained highly cautious about the official timeline.
Trump asserted that a framework agreement is anticipated to be signed on Sunday, with Islamabad stating that an electronic signing ceremony is being organised.
Trump, in a post on Truth Social, said that if the deal doesn't work out, the US has an ultimate alternative.
"Barack Hussein Obama's Deal with Iran, the JCPOA, was an easy, beautiful, smooth road to a Nuclear Weapon, which Iran would have had six years ago, and would have used long before now. My Agreement with Iran is the exact opposite, A WALL TO NO NUCLEAR WEAPON! In fact, they no longer want a Nuclear Weapon, nor will they have one, either through purchase, development, or any other form of procurement. The Deal is scheduled to get signed tomorrow, and immediately after it is signed, the Hormuz Strait is OPEN TO ALL," he said.
Conversely, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei explicitly downplayed an immediate conclusion, stating, "It will not be tomorrow," though he acknowledged that an agreement might still be formalised in the subsequent days.
— ANI
Reader Comments
As someone who lived through the JCPOA era, I'm skeptical. Trump's "ultimate alternative" sounds ominous. But if it opens the Strait of Hormuz and reduces tensions, that benefits global markets including India's growth story.
The protests in Mashhad show how divided Iranian society is. Araghchi saying they'll dismantle the blockade means Iran is desperate. But India should tread carefully - we have good relations with both US and Iran. Neutrality is our strength. 🙏
Trump's Truth Social post sounds like typical his typical rhetoric. Calling it a "WALL TO NO NUCLEAR WEAPON!" but we all know how his previous "deals" went. At least the JCPOA had multilateral verification. This seems like a photo-op deal. 🤔
The timeline confusion is telling - Trump says tomorrow, Iran says not tomorrow. Classic diplomatic chaos. India should use this window to secure long-term oil contracts at favorable rates. We've learned from past volatility.
Respectfully, this deal seems rushed. Iran's own foreign ministry says it won't happen tomorrow, yet Trump is declaring victory. The Chabahar port project gives India leverage here - we should engage both sides to ensure our strategic interests are protected.
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.