US-Iran talks advance in Doha mediation

Officials said Thursday that Qatari and Pakistani mediators had concluded separate meetings with US and Iranian negotiators in Doha, reporting “positive progress” on issues tied to the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding. Reaction pending.

The meetings followed earlier talks in Switzerland and focused on technical steps under the initial accord. Officials said the parties agreed to keep discussions going, with the next meeting to be arranged at the earliest possible time after funeral processions for former Iranian supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who is due to be buried on July 9.

Hormuz channel and frozen funds

People familiar with the discussions said negotiators spent two days on maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz and the release of Iranian funds, two issues central to the memorandum. Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi said a communication channel would be set up to report and record violations of the agreement.

Gharibabadi also said Tehran would use part of its frozen assets in Qatar to buy goods needed in Iran. He said talks with Qatari officials, including central bank officials, reviewed spending related to an initial $6 billion.

US President Donald Trump said possible limits on Iran’s nuclear programme were making progress, while Vice President JD Vance said nuclear discussions would begin later. People familiar with the Doha meetings said the nuclear file was not discussed in the technical talks.

The memorandum includes a 60-day ceasefire, the reopening of the blockaded Strait of Hormuz and a timetable for a final deal on the conflict and Iran’s nuclear programme. Officials said the violations channel is expected by July 3.