An incredible thriller is unfolding in the Persian Gulf with the Iranian crisis at its center. US representatives Witkoff and Kushner are urgently traveling to the region, believing they can begin technical talks on July 1, 2026, in Doha, the capital of Qatar. Meanwhile, it is revealed that US President Trump had not planned for war; he wanted an agreement through peaceful means with the Iranians but was misled by the lies of Zionists. In fact, Trump planned to send a letter to the now-assassinated Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, but ultimately, developments took a different turn. At the same time, it is revealed that Jordan and the American base in the country, Muwaffaq Salti, served as a regional outpost for US operations against Iran. Once again, Jordan finds itself on the wrong side of history.
Urgently in Doha, Witkoff and Kushner – US and Iran begin technical talks on July 1 via intermediaries
A diplomat familiar with the negotiation process claimed to Reuters that special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, Trump’s son-in-law, will meet with the Prime Minister of Qatar and other officials in Doha to discuss negotiations with Iran. On July 1, 2026, technical teams from the US and Iran will meet separately with Qatari and Pakistani mediators. The Iranian side denies this, yet all scenarios remain possible.
Baghaei (Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson): No scheduled meeting with the US at any level
Esmaeil Baghaei, the spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Iran, asserted that no negotiation meeting with the American side is scheduled for the coming days at any level and that the trip of US representatives Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner to Qatar is not related to the mission of the Iranian delegation. According to the Mehr news agency, Esmail Baghaei briefed journalists on the latest developments regarding the implementation of the memorandum of understanding to end the "imposed war." Baghaei emphasized that the Islamic Republic of Iran is focused on implementing the terms of the memorandum, noting that Tehran's main priority is to ensure the full realization of the stipulated commitments. As he stated, Iran is pursuing the satisfaction of its requirements with particular persistence.
Responding to a question regarding the progress of implementing various articles of the memorandum, including oil sales and access to Iran's frozen assets, Esmail Baghaei stated that regarding the US commitment under Article 10 (oil sales), the necessary licenses have already been issued by the American side, and Iran is monitoring their implementation. Regarding Article 11 (unfreezing of Iranian assets), he mentioned that the implementation process is underway. In this context, a technical delegation from the Islamic Republic of Iran will travel to Doha, Qatar, this week.
When asked about the start of negotiations to reach a definitive agreement within the framework of the provided working groups, Esmail Baghaei replied that this process has not yet begun. As he explained, according to Article 13 of the memorandum of understanding, talks for a final agreement can only begin after Articles 1, 4, 5, 10, and 11 are in effect and their implementation continues. Referring to information about the arrival of senior American officials in Doha simultaneously with the Iranian technical delegation's visit, Esmail Baghaei emphasized that no negotiation meeting with the American side is expected in the coming days at any level. He added that the visit of the American representatives to Qatar is not connected to the Iranian delegation's mission, which is taking place exclusively to monitor the implementation of the terms of the memorandum, including Article 11.
The Muwaffaq Salti base in Jordan was a forward outpost for US operations against Iran
The American Muwaffaq Salti base in Jordan served as a regional outpost for American operations against Iran. "In the final stages of the so-called 40-day war, it was Muwaffaq Salti (the American base) that played the role of a kind of regional outpost for US operations against Iran." The US simply had no other choice, as the closest US allies in the Persian Gulf—Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates—did not allow the Americans to use their airspace. In late February 2026, the United States and Israel attacked Iran, which responded by striking Israeli territory and American targets in the Middle East.
On the night of June 18, Washington and Tehran signed a remote memorandum of understanding. This memorandum requires a ceasefire on all fronts, including the Israeli operation in Lebanon, and sets a timetable for lifting the naval blockade and restoring shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. Within 60 days, the parties intend to reach an agreement on the nuclear program. For Tehran, this should lead to the lifting of sanctions. On the weekend of June 27 and 28, 2026, the US and Iran exchanged strikes again, accusing each other of violating the truce. However, according to media reports, they agreed to stop the attacks and continue negotiations on all aspects of the agreement.
Trump believed he could find common ground with Iran through peaceful means, he wanted to send a letter to Ayatollah Ali Khamenei
The controversial book "Regime Change" reports: According to a senior official in the American government, Trump was absolutely serious about reaching an agreement with Iran and that this was not, contrary to what some later claimed, a deception or a show tactic. Trump was truly confident that he could reach a deal. Trump had previously told his team that he wanted to send a letter directly to Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, who was subsequently assassinated. Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner prepared the initial draft. The demands stated in the letter were clear: immediate negotiations on the nuclear program, with a deadline for reaching an agreement. No enrichment. No movement toward building nuclear weapons. No long-range missiles and full access for inspectors to facilities.
Trump hoped the issue would be solved peacefully. But as the letter clarified, very bad things could happen if this did not occur. Then, Trump took the draft and added his favorite changes and phrases to make it, as he put it, a "beautiful letter." He spoke with pride about the letter to the cabinet and his staff, and sometimes read it aloud to select guests in the Oval Office. Once he was sure the text was exactly what he wanted, he asked Whitaker to fly to Abu Dhabi and deliver the letter personally to the President of the United Arab Emirates, who would ensure it reached Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei.
Oman supports Iran's plan to charge "maritime service fees" in the Strait of Hormuz
Oman expressed its support for Iran's plan to impose "maritime service fees" on ships crossing the Strait of Hormuz. In an interview with the newspaper Monte Carlo Doualiya, the Foreign Minister of Oman confirmed Oman's commitment to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). He clarified that Oman opposes any tolls on the passages themselves. However, the minister made a clear distinction between transit tolls and legitimate fees for maritime, environmental, and shipping services, which can be discussed voluntarily with the benefiting states and companies. Such fees will enhance the security of navigation, protect waters from pollution, and improve readiness for accidents and emergency situations, models that have already been implemented successfully in the Strait of Malacca and around Singapore.
He emphasized that Oman and Iran fully agree that any future arrangements for the strait must remain strictly within the framework of international law. Regarding French and British proposals for minesweeping in Hormuz, he stressed that the primary responsibility for ensuring the security of the Strait of Hormuz and international shipping lanes lies with Iran, according to the recent memorandum of understanding signed between the presidents of Iran and the Americans.
Adam Smith (US Democrats): Trump is optimistic, I don't see Iran accepting US terms
Adam Smith, a Democratic Congressman and member of the House Armed Services Committee, stated that he has not seen sufficient evidence to justify the Trump administration's optimism that Iran will accept the terms of an agreement with the United States. "The administration just seems optimistic that Iran will agree to open the Straits, that everything will go smoothly. I don't see much evidence to support that assessment. It's not so much that they aren't informing us. It's that they look at the situation and say everything is fine, that Iran will agree to everything they want it to agree to, and I just doubt that," said Adam Smith.
Greg Meeks, the top Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, stated that he believes the Trump administration did not provide sufficient information during the two briefings held on Monday. He also added that he took them less as official briefings and more as an opportunity for lawmakers to ask questions. Greg Meeks stated that he called on the administration to accept holding public hearings regarding the memorandum of understanding, without, however, receiving any relevant commitment.
Only Iran can clear mines from the Strait of Hormuz, French proposal rejected
The Deputy Foreign Minister of Iran, responsible for Legal and International Affairs, Gharibabadi (Kazem Gharibabadi), rejected France's offer to clear mines from the Strait of Hormuz in cooperation with its allies, saying that the operation will be conducted exclusively by the Islamic Republic of Iran. Gharibabadi made these statements after French President Macron stated that his country and Oman decided to cooperate, in coordination with their partners, to clear the Strait of Hormuz of mines to secure the shipping lanes and free and unconditional passage through the strategic waterway. "According to the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), the minesweeping of Hormuz will be carried out exclusively by Iran and not by any other country." The deputy minister also noted that Iran will not allow any foreign interference in the removal of mines from the Strait of Hormuz, given the current "sensitive and complex" situation at the critical energy choke point.
"We strongly advise France not to complicate the situation with its provocations." Iran restricted passage through the Strait of Hormuz, which covers 20% of global oil demand, in response to the illegal US-Israel aggression against the country that began on February 28 and stopped with the truce on April 8. On July 17, Iran and the US signed the Memorandum of Understanding, which was mediated by Pakistan, which provides for the definitive end of hostilities on all fronts and includes a commitment from both sides for further talks regarding a final agreement in the next 60 days. According to the 14-point agreement, Iran is required to ensure toll-free passage for merchant ships for at least 60 days, with full restoration of traffic in the Strait of Hormuz within 30 days. Iran has emphasized that the Strait of Hormuz will not return to pre-war conditions, stressing its legal right to sovereignty over the Hormuz waterway.
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