The latest round of indirect talks between the United States and Iran in Doha focused on implementing a memorandum of understanding (MoU), with discussions
covering the possible release of frozen Iranian funds and the creation of a mechanism to address alleged violations of the agreement. The negotiations, mediated by Qatar and Pakistan, began on Tuesday night and continued on Wednesday through separate sessions involving senior negotiators and technical experts. The US and Iran agreed to establish a direct communication hotline to manage maritime incidents. According to Iran's official IRNA news agency, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi said there were no direct discussions between the US and Iranian delegations, with all negotiations conducted through the mediators. US envoy Steve Witkoff and President Donald Trump's adviser and son-in-law Jared Kushner met Qatar's Prime Minister before the negotiations as part of preparations for the talks. The two sides are working within a 60-day timeline agreed after signing the memorandum of understanding, with the current round focusing on its implementation.
Inspection of Iran's Nuclear Sites
Amid the talks in Doha, Iran's parliament speaker and chief negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, who has not travelled to Qatar, said inspections of nuclear sites damaged in recent attacks would not be permitted.
Speaking to Iran's Student News Network, he said: "Inspection of nuclear sites that have been bombed and damaged is not allowed under any circumstances." Ghalibaf said the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) had been granted access to only two locations in Iran, including the Bushehr nuclear power plant. "The access is only to this extent and we are committed to it," he added.
Communication Channel To Be Established
Speaking after Wednesday's meetings, Gharibabadi said the parties had agreed to establish a communication mechanism to report alleged breaches of the memorandum.
According to IRNA, he said: "A communication channel would be established by tomorrow" to report and record violations of the agreement.
Axios also reported that Gharibabadi said an "emergency communication channel by tomorrow" had been agreed to address violations of the MoU.
Qatar's Foreign Ministry spokesperson said "positive progress" had been made during discussions between Qatari and Pakistani mediators and the US and Iranian delegations.
"The parties agreed to continue discussions over the coming period, with the next meeting to be scheduled at the earliest possible time following the funeral processions of the former Iranian Supreme Leader," the spokesperson said in a post on X.
$3 Billion Frozen Funds
Gharibabadi said discussions also covered Iran's frozen funds held in Qatar. According to IRNA, he said "it was agreed that, based on Iran's stated needs, the required goods would be purchased and delivered to Iran."
Al Arabiya reported that an initial agreement had been reached to release $3bn in frozen Iranian funds, with the money to be released in stages as negotiations progress.
The broadcaster said Iran linked the release of the funds to progress in the wider negotiations and reported that indirect talks were continuing.
Lebanon, Strait of Hormuz Among Key Issues
According to Al Arabiya, a trilateral meeting involving Iran, Qatar and Pakistan reviewed implementation of the memorandum of understanding.
The broadcaster reported that discussions included the situation in Lebanon and the Strait of Hormuz. According to the report, Iran accused Israel of hindering implementation of the agreement by maintaining military forces in Lebanon.
Iran also reiterated during the meeting that the Strait of Hormuz falls under Iranian and Omani sovereignty, Al Arabiya reported.
The broadcaster added that Iran requested implementation of five provisions of the memorandum before discussions moved to other issues.
It also reported that negotiations on the Strait of Hormuz are continuing on the basis of a new proposal presented by Oman and that the negotiating teams will return to their respective countries for consultations.
