Indirect Talks Between the U.S. and Iran Continue in Doha Amid Mediation Efforts

Doha, July 1: Indirect negotiations between the United States and Iran are ongoing in Doha, Qatar, facilitated by mediators from Qatar and Pakistan.

According to Xinhua News Agency, the discussions are currently taking place without direct interaction between the representatives of both countries. Meetings are being held behind closed doors, with the mediating nations advancing dialogue between the two parties.

The primary focus of these talks is to implement the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) established on June 17 in Islamabad. Key topics include Iran’s frozen assets and maritime security in the Strait of Hormuz.

On Tuesday, Qatar confirmed that U.S. President Donald Trump’s special envoys, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, have arrived in Doha but will not meet directly with Iranian officials.

Qatar’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Majid Al Ansari, stated in a press conference that the U.S. delegation will engage with mediators instead of directly communicating with Iran. The discussions will revolve around the progress of implementing the recent MoU between the U.S. and Iran.

Al Ansari noted that approximately six billion U.S. dollars of Iran’s frozen assets have yet to be returned to Tehran.

This statement comes amid conflicting claims regarding the negotiations taking place in Doha. The U.S. asserts that these talks are part of the MoU implementation process, while Iran has clarified that no direct discussions with U.S. officials are planned.

Later, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf stated that Iran will not engage in negotiations for a final agreement with the U.S. until certain preliminary conditions of the recent MoU are met.

Qalibaf, who also leads Iran’s negotiating team, provided insights on the peace MoU and recent developments in talks with the U.S. during an interview with the state television channel IRIB.

He emphasized that Iran’s recent visit to Switzerland aimed to enforce the conditions of the MoU, which include ending hostilities on all fronts, restoring peace in Lebanon, lifting the U.S. naval blockade, reopening the Strait of Hormuz, continuing U.S. exemptions for Iranian crude oil exports, and returning Iran’s frozen assets.

Qalibaf stated that until these five initial conditions are fulfilled, the implementation of the remaining terms of the agreement will not commence.

He also mentioned that Iran, the U.S., and Lebanon have agreed to form a joint committee tasked with enforcing a ceasefire, fully ending the conflict in Lebanon, and safeguarding its sovereignty. He noted that both Iran and the U.S. have already designated their representatives for this committee.

He concluded by stating that while Iran seeks a path of negotiation, it will not hesitate to respond with strength when necessary.