US and Iran wrap up indirect talks in Doha with 'positive progress' on nuclear dispute
Qatar reports that US and Iranian negotiators made significant headway in technical talks in Doha on Wednesday, with both sides agreeing to establish a communication channel to monitor compliance with their memorandum of understanding. Next meetings will be scheduled after funeral ceremonies for Iran's former Supreme Leader.
Breakthrough in Doha Talks
Qatar has said that Iranian and US negotiators had made "positive progress" during the technical talks in Doha, with Qatar and Pakistan mediators concluding separate meetings with the US and Iranian negotiators. The parties agreed to continue discussions over the coming period, with the next meeting to be scheduled as soon as possible after the conclusion of the funeral processions for the former Iranian Supreme Leader.
Key Agreements and Implementation
After the talks ended Wednesday, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi said that "a communication channel would be established by tomorrow" to report and record violations of the memorandum, and the sides agreed that part of the $6 billion in frozen funds would be released to allow Tehran to purchase goods based on its needs. The American and Iranian delegations worked in separate rooms through Qatari and Pakistani mediators on the Strait of Hormuz and Iran's frozen assets, with reporting characterizing the outcome as positive progress on Hormuz with major questions left unresolved.
Context of the Negotiations
Pakistan's foreign ministry issued an identical statement on Thursday. Six-day funeral processions for former Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, who was killed in a US-Israeli strike on the first day of the war, are set to begin on Saturday in Iran and Iraq. President Trump said "very good meetings" were held in the Qatari capital, told reporters that "the denuclearization of Iran is moving along well," and said of Tehran that "we hit them very hard... but we're getting along very well," asserting that Iran had "come a long way" in its negotiating position.
Next Steps
Vice President JD Vance said talks in Doha were "going well" and that discussions about the nuclear issue would start soon. The talks represent a significant development in what has been a prolonged and contentious negotiation between the two nations following months of military conflict earlier in 2026.