Positive progress’ in US-Iran indirect talks in Doha; next round after Khamenei’s funeral: mediators
Qatari and Pakistani mediators concluded separate meetings with the US and Iranian negotiators in Doha (Wednesday), with positive progress made,” Pakistan said Thursday.
Islamabad added the sides agreed to keep talking, “with the next meeting to be set at the earliest possible time following the funeral processions of the former Iranian Supreme LeaAli Khamenei’s public funeral will begin on Saturday, with his body lying in state at the colossal complex in central Tehran that hosts major Friday prayers, official ceremonies and religious gatherings.
His burial will take place on July 9 at the shrine of Imam Reza in the northeastern city of Mashhad, his birthplace.
Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi, who led Tehran’s delegation, said Wednesday’ talks had concluded with an agreement to establish a communications channel by Thursday to report and record alleged violations of the memorandum.
Iran had insisted there would be no direct negotiations with the United States in Doha.
Trump told reporters Wednesday before boarding Air Force One: “As far as things are going, the denuclearization of Iran is moving along well.”Tehran rejected Trump’s earlier suggestion that the talks would be direct, with foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei saying Iran had “no plans for negotiations with the American side at any level over the coming days”.
Gharibabadi said discussions also covered frozen Iranian assets, whose release Tehran has demanded as part of any settlement.He said officials reviewed the use of part of an initial $6 billion and agreed that goods needed by Iran would be purchased and made available.
US envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff were not taking part in the technical talks, the diplomat said, after meeting Qatar’s Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani on Tuesday.
On Wednesday, the office of Qatar’s emir said Kushner and Witkoff had also met ruler Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.