Mediators say 'positive progress' made in US-Iran indirect talks in Doha

Islamabad (Web Desk): The Foreign Office (FO) on Thursday said that Qatari and Pakistani mediators concluded separate meetings with the United States (US) and Iranian negotiators in Doha with positive progress made on issues related to the aspects of the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), building on the Lake Lucerne Summit.

In a statement posted on X, the FO said the discussions produced "positive progress" on matters connected to the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), while building on negotiations held in Switzerland earlier this month.

"Parties have agreed to continue discussions over the coming period, with the next meeting to be set at the earliest possible time following the funeral processions of the former Iranian supreme leader," the statement said.

PR No. 160/2026

Qatari and Pakistani Mediatiors Meetings with the US and Iranian Negotiations in Doha Today

⬇️ pic.twitter.com/BXTW9RgiLY

— Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) July 2, 2026

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was assassinated on the opening day of the US-Israel war against Iran, is to be buried on July 9.

Similar statement had earlier been released by Qatar's foreign ministry spokesperson.

Qatar & Pakistan mediators concluded separate meetings with the US & Iranian negotiators in Doha today, with positive progress made on issues related to the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding, building on the outcomes of the Lake Lucerne Summit. The parties agreed to continue…

— د. ماجد محمد الأنصاري Dr. Majed Al Ansari (@majedalansari) July 1, 2026

According to reports, quoting sources familiar with the negotiations, the US and Iranian representatives spent two days in Doha discussing maritime navigation through the Strait of Hormuz and the release of Iran's frozen financial assets, both regarded as key components of the initial agreement.

Speaking in Washington, US President Donald Trump said negotiations were also advancing on possible restrictions concerning Iran's nuclear programme, which he described as the primary reason for launching the war alongside Israel in February.

"The denuclearisation of Iran is moving along well," he told reporters. "They've had very good meetings, and we'll see."

However, the sources said the nuclear issue was not part of the Doha negotiations, which remained focused on technical matters.

US Vice President JD Vance also indicated that nuclear-related discussions would take place at a later stage.

"Obviously, we're worried about the nuclear issue, we're going to start talking about that," he told reporters.

Meanwhile, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi said participants had agreed to establish "a communication channel would be established by tomorrow" to report and document any violations of the Islamabad MoU, according to Iran's state news agency IRNA.

Gharibabadi also said Tehran would use part of its frozen funds held in Qatar to purchase essential goods needed by the country following the Doha meetings.

"During the meetings with Qatari officials, incl­uding the Central Bank, a number of issues related to the expenditure of part of the initial six billion dolla­rs were reviewed," he added.

The US-Iran MoU brokered by Pakistan and Qatar, was finalised during last month's summit in Lucerne, Switzerland. The agreement provides for a 60-day ceasefire, the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz to commercial shipping, and a roadmap towards a permanent settlement of the conflict, including a future agreement on Iran's nuclear programme.