Iran and the United States have concluded another round of indirect negotiations in Doha aimed at advancing a peace process and easing tensions following recent exchanges of attacks between the two countries.
U.S. President Donald Trump said the talks, which included discussions on Iran’s nuclear programme dismantling efforts, were progressing positively.
“I think they have agreed to almost everything we need,” he told reporters before boarding Air Force One.
Following Wednesday’s indirect discussions in Doha, Trump as well as mediators Qatar and Pakistan indicated that diplomatic efforts were showing encouraging progress.
In a joint statement on Thursday, Qatar and Pakistan said separate meetings with U.S. and Iranian representatives in Doha went smoothly and achieved significant advancement.
Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi, who led Tehran’s delegation, said both sides had agreed to establish a communication channel to report and document any alleged violations of the memorandum of understanding.
He added that the talks also covered the issue of frozen Iranian assets, which Tehran insists must be released as part of any settlement, including discussions on using part of a US$6 billion fund for essential purchases.
The June agreement between Washington and Tehran, brokered by Qatar and Pakistan, included a 60-day ceasefire and provisions linked to the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and other key regional issues.
Sources familiar with the talks said this round focused heavily on maritime security in the Strait of Hormuz, while nuclear issues will be addressed in greater detail in the next session.
Further indirect negotiations are expected after Iran’s late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s funeral ceremonies, which begin this weekend in Tehran.
