US, Iran Expected to Resume Direct Doha Talks Later This Month
The United States and Iran are expected to restart direct negotiations in Doha during the third week of July as both sides seek to advance the implementation of the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), according to Pakistani government sources.
Officials familiar with the mediation efforts said Pakistani and Qatari facilitators remain in close contact with Washington and Tehran to arrange the next round of talks. While the United States has signaled its readiness to return to the negotiating table, Iran has also conveyed a positive response, with discussions expected to resume after the funeral ceremonies for the late Iranian leader, Syed Ali Khamenei.
The upcoming meeting is anticipated to focus primarily on the security situation in Lebanon and maritime tensions surrounding the Strait of Hormuz rather than Iran’s nuclear program.
According to the sources, separate meetings between Pakistani and Qatari mediators and delegations from both countries in Doha produced encouraging progress on implementing commitments outlined in the Islamabad MoU, following discussions held during last month’s Lake Lucerne Summit in Switzerland.
Iran reportedly informed mediators that it would not fully reopen the Strait of Hormuz until the agreement’s key provisions are fulfilled, including a ceasefire across all fronts and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from southern Lebanon.
Tehran also reiterated that negotiations over its nuclear program would remain suspended until issues related to Lebanon and its frozen overseas assets are resolved. Iranian officials reportedly consider these matters prerequisites before any nuclear discussions can resume.
Washington, however, has maintained that implementation of previously agreed commitments and negotiations over unresolved issues should proceed simultaneously rather than sequentially. Iranian representatives are said to have rejected that approach, leaving one of the principal differences between the two sides unresolved.
Another major issue under discussion is Iran’s approximately $6 billion in frozen funds held in Qatar. Sources said Tehran is pressing for the immediate release of the assets, while the United States has expressed agreement in principle but favors releasing the money in phases, contingent upon progress in implementing the Islamabad MoU.
Although no final agreement was reached on the matter, both sides agreed to continue discussions during the next round of negotiations in Doha.
Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry has confirmed that the parties intend to continue diplomatic engagement, with the next meeting expected to take place at the earliest opportunity following the completion of the funeral proceedings.
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