AZE.US
The United States and Iran have completed another round of indirect negotiations in Doha and agreed to continue talks after the funeral of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
The American and Iranian delegations did not meet face to face. Messages were exchanged through mediators from Qatar and Pakistan, according to reports by AP and Reuters.
Qatar’s Foreign Ministry said the discussions had produced “positive progress.” A new meeting is expected after the completion of mourning ceremonies and Khamenei’s funeral, scheduled to conclude on July 9.
Sources cited by Reuters, however, offered a more cautious assessment and said there were no signs of significant progress toward a long-term peace agreement.
During two days of talks, the sides focused mainly on commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz and the possible release of frozen Iranian assets. Iran’s nuclear program was reportedly not discussed in detail during this round.
President Donald Trump said negotiations on Iran’s nuclear disarmament were “going well.” Participants in the talks told Reuters that the meetings were largely technical and that the nuclear issue would be addressed at a later stage.
The status of the Strait of Hormuz remains one of the main obstacles.
Tehran is seeking international recognition of its right to control shipping routes and potentially charge vessels for passage. Washington considers the strait an international waterway and opposes Iranian fees or restrictions.
Iranian officials have warned that Tehran is prepared to enforce its control over the strait if no agreement is reached. Iran also reportedly does not want to discuss other disputed issues until the shipping question is resolved.
At the same time, Tehran warned the United States and Israel against carrying out new attacks during the mourning period. Iran’s military command said any threat or act of aggression would receive a strong response.
The diplomatic process remains active, but a broader settlement still appears distant. Major disagreements remain over the Strait of Hormuz, Iran’s nuclear program, frozen assets and regional security.
AZE.US