Indirect negotiations between the United States and Iran have resumed in Qatar, with President Donald Trump expressing confidence that diplomacy is making headway while one of his former national security advisers warned the process risks strengthening Tehran instead of restraining it.
Speaking on Wednesday, Trump said discussions were progressing well and suggested efforts to curb Iran’s nuclear ambitions were on the right track.
“The denuclearization of Iran is moving along well,” the president told reporters, adding that Tehran had “come a long way” since hostilities ended.
The latest round of indirect talks is being held in Doha, with Qatar and Pakistan acting as mediators.
U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner, were in the Qatari capital and met with the country’s prime minister, although they did not participate directly in the technical negotiations.
After the meetings, Qatari and Pakistani officials said negotiators had made “positive progress” on issues linked to the memorandum of understanding that brought an end to the recent conflict between the United States and Iran.
They added that discussions would resume after the funeral ceremonies for Iran’s late Supreme Leader.
Despite the optimistic tone from the White House, former national security adviser Herbert Raymond “H.R.” McMaster questioned whether the negotiations were benefiting Washington.
Speaking on CBS’s The Takeout with Major Garrett, McMaster argued that Iran was emerging as the real winner because of economic concessions made during the diplomatic process.
“Iran is the one making the progress in these negotiations because they’re receiving big paychecks,” McMaster said.
He claimed that sanctions relief on Iranian oil exports and proposals to unfreeze Iranian assets would provide Tehran with the financial resources needed to rebuild its armed forces and rearm regional proxy groups.
“They’re getting the infusion of cash they desperately needed to get themselves up off the mat,” he said, while maintaining that Trump’s earlier decision to use military force against Iran had been justified.
Vice President JD Vance also struck a cautiously optimistic tone, saying negotiations were progressing but stressing that military action remained an option if Iran failed to comply.
“I can’t commit to anything, because obviously it depends on what the Iranians are ultimately going to do,” Vance said.
He warned that Washington would reconsider its approach if Iran attempted to rebuild its nuclear programme, blocked international inspections or resumed attacks on commercial shipping.
“If we’ve got to do more, of course, that’s kind of up to the Iranians,” Vance said.
Vance acknowledged that talks on Iran’s nuclear programme had not yet properly begun.
“Obviously, we’re worried about the nuclear issue, we’re going to start talking about that,” he said. “So right now the talks are going well, it’s still pretty early.”
The diplomatic effort comes as tensions in the region remain high despite the ceasefire.
The U.S. Navy is continuing its search for a fourth crew member missing after an MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopter made an emergency landing in the Arabian Sea.
Three crew members were rescued in stable condition, and officials said there was no indication the aircraft had been brought down by hostile fire.
Meanwhile, international maritime labour organisations have extended the designation of the Strait of Hormuz as a war-risk zone until at least July 9.
The move means thousands of seafarers operating in the area will continue receiving double pay and retain the right to refuse assignments through the strategic waterway because of ongoing security concerns.
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