Indirect negotiations between the United States and Iran concluded in Doha, Qatar, with mediators reporting progress on de-escalation efforts and the establishment of a communication channel. The talks, brokered by Qatar and Pakistan, aimed to advance diplomacy following recent exchanges of fire and address key issues stemming from a memorandum of understanding signed in June.
Following separate meetings with U.S. and Iranian negotiators on Wednesday, Qatari and Pakistani mediators released a joint statement on Thursday indicating that "positive progress made" had been achieved. Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister, Kazem Gharibabadi, who led the Iranian delegation, announced that an agreement had been reached to establish a communication channel by Thursday. This channel will be utilized to report and record alleged violations of the existing memorandum of understanding. Discussions also encompassed the issue of frozen Iranian assets, a key demand from Tehran, with officials agreeing to facilitate the purchase and availability of necessary goods for Iran using a portion of an initial $6 billion fund.
U.S. President Donald Trump commented on Wednesday that "the denuclearisation of Iran is moving along well." However, a source familiar with the negotiations, speaking anonymously to AFP, indicated that the Doha discussions were more specifically focused on arrangements for the Strait of Hormuz, with the nuclear issue slated for more in-depth discussion at a later stage.
The next round of indirect talks between the U.S. and Iran is scheduled to take place following the funeral of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The Iranian supreme leader passed away on February 28, and his public funeral is set to begin on Saturday. Qatar and Pakistan confirmed that both sides have agreed to continue dialogue, with the next meeting to be scheduled as soon as possible after the funeral processions. Khamenei is to be buried on July 9 in Mashhad.
Despite the diplomatic efforts, sporadic exchanges of fire have occurred in the Gulf region since the June agreement. Recent actions by U.S. Central Command targeting Iranian military sites over alleged aggression against commercial shipping were met with Iranian retaliatory strikes against U.S. bases in Kuwait and Bahrain. While these exchanges had calmed in the days leading up to the Doha talks, tensions remain. On the Lebanese front, fighting between Israel and Hezbollah has seen some activity, with Israel reporting the killing of a Hezbollah operative. Lebanon awaits Israeli withdrawal from certain areas where the Lebanese army is slated to deploy, as per a framework agreement. Tehran has maintained that any comprehensive deal must include an end to the conflict in Lebanon and an Israeli withdrawal from occupied southern territories.
