Trump welcomes progress in Doha negotiations with Iran: “We hit them very hard, but we get along very well” | Today’s news
US President Donald Trump said on Wednesday (July 1st) that the United States is “getting along very well” with Iran after technical talks in Qatar, expressing optimism that efforts to curb Tehran’s nuclear program and secure a lasting ceasefire are moving forward.
“They had very good meetings and we’ll see. We hit them very hard for three nights, as you know, but we get along very well, so I call it denuclearization and it’s all happening,” Trump told reporters.
Asked about the progress of the negotiations, Trump added: “Well, I think they’ve come a long way. I think they’re fine. It’s very simple and Iran can’t have a nuclear weapon.”
Negotiations in Doha focus on the Strait of Hormuz
The remarks came as US and Iranian officials held indirect technical talks in Doha, brokered by Qatar and Pakistan, to ensure the free flow of shipping through the Strait of Hormuz and cement a lasting ceasefire after weeks of conflict.
The talks are reportedly based on a 14-point interim deal signed last month that halted fighting after US-Israeli strikes on Iran and reopened the strategic waterway, allowing 60 days of talks towards a broader peace deal.
Despite Trump’s remarks about denuclearization, the current round of talks has primarily focused on maritime security and economic issues rather than Iran’s nuclear program.
Kushner, Witkoff helped lay the groundwork
Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner and US envoy Steve Witkoff are helping set up the diplomatic process but were not directly involved in the technical talks, according to reports.
The Iranian delegation was led by Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi and its members included representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Central Bank and the Ministry of Agriculture.
Iran has publicly stated that its priorities are securing recognition for its role in controlling shipping through the Strait of Hormuz and obtaining the release of $6 billion in frozen Iranian assets.
Above all, the US is seeking guarantees for uninterrupted commercial shipping along the strategic waterway, which previously carried about a fifth of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas trade.
Shipping continues, but uncertainty remains
Traffic in the Strait of Hormuz has begun to resume after disruptions caused by the conflict, although conditions remain fragile.
Lebanon also on the diplomatic agenda
The interim agreement also includes provisions aimed at ending parallel hostilities between Israel and the Iran-backed Hezbollah militant group in Lebanon.
Diplomatic efforts involving the United States and regional stakeholders reportedly continued until Tuesday to support a separate Israeli-Lebanese security framework, although Hezbollah rejected the proposed arrangement.
