Iran and the United States have wrapped up two days of indirect technical talks in Qatar, with both sides reporting progress in implementing their interim agreement. However, officials stopped short of suggesting that the negotiations had produced any major breakthrough on long-standing issues, including Tehran’s nuclear programme.

The discussions, held in Doha through mediators, primarily focused on carrying forward commitments made under the memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed last month after fighting between Iran, the US and Israel. The agreement was aimed at easing tensions, restoring maritime security in the Strait of Hormuz and creating a framework for wider negotiations.

Focus on implementing interim agreement

Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi, who headed Tehran’s delegation, said the latest round of talks had concluded successfully and concentrated on putting the MoU into effect.

According to Iran’s state-run IRNA news agency, the two sides agreed to establish a communication mechanism that would allow them to report and address any alleged violations of the agreement.

Gharibabadi also announced that part of Iran’s frozen assets, estimated at around $6 billion, would be released to enable the country to purchase goods based on domestic requirements.

Despite these developments, neither delegation indicated that significant progress had been made on broader political disputes or the future of Iran’s nuclear programme.

Qatar says discussions were constructive

Qatar, which has played a key mediating role, described the latest negotiations as constructive.

In a statement, the country’s Foreign Ministry said the discussions had shown ‘positive progress’ on matters linked to the interim agreement and were building on understandings reached during a recent summit in Switzerland.

Read More: Ayatollah Khamenei funeral: Iran invites BJP chief Nitin Nabin, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge too, who all are going from India? Check all names

The ministry added that another round of talks would be scheduled after the funeral of Iran’s late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, which is expected to take place on July 9.

Talks conducted through mediators

The negotiations were held indirectly, with Iranian and American officials remaining in separate rooms while intermediaries carried messages between the two delegations.

Gharibabadi confirmed that no direct meeting took place between representatives of Tehran and Washington.

Although US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and President Donald Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner travelled to the region ahead of the talks, reports indicated they did not participate in the technical discussions. Instead, they met senior Qatari officials before negotiations began as part of diplomatic preparations.

Strait of Hormuz a key priority

Ensuring uninterrupted commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz remained one of the central issues during the Doha meetings.

The strategically important waterway is responsible for carrying nearly one-fifth of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas shipments. While maritime traffic has resumed following last month’s ceasefire, concerns over regional stability persist after recent military exchanges between Iran and the United States.

Reports suggest Iran continues to seek international recognition of its authority over the strait and plans to introduce tolls on commercial vessels once the toll-free arrangement under the interim agreement ends in mid-August.

Iranian state media also reported that a foreign container ship had recently run aground after entering shallow waters outside the designated shipping corridor.

Vandana Hari, founder of Vanda Insights, said, ‘Hormuz continues to reopen but it’s patchy, unpredictable, and not fully transparent.’

Meanwhile, several European countries have expressed willingness to assist with mine-clearing operations in the waterway, although Germany has reportedly indicated it is unlikely to take part because of Iran’s reluctance to involve outside powers.

Washington backs continued negotiations

Senior US officials maintained that diplomacy remains the preferred approach to resolving tensions.

Vice President JD Vance said the discussions were moving in a positive direction but stressed that future progress would depend on Tehran’s decisions.

‘I can’t commit to anything, because obviously it depends on what the Iranians are ultimately going to do,’ Vance said.

‘What I can commit to is: The president’s not going to send our military back in unless he has to, unless there’s a clearly defined purpose for it.’

Vance added that the current phase of negotiations was focused on commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, while discussions related to Iran’s nuclear programme would take place at a later stage.

‘It’s still pretty early, but talks are going well,’ he said.

President Donald Trump also expressed optimism about the diplomatic process.

‘The denuclearisation of Iran is moving along well,’ Trump said.

‘They’ve had very good meetings, and we’ll see.’

When asked whether another military confrontation remained possible, Trump replied, ‘Well, I think they’ve come a long way.’

Major issues still await resolution

The Doha meetings form part of the 14-point interim accord reached last month, which ended weeks of conflict and reopened the Strait of Hormuz while setting a 60-day timetable for broader negotiations.

Although the latest talks resulted in progress on implementing certain aspects of the agreement, major issues, including Iran’s nuclear programme, sanctions relief and long-term regional security arrangements, remain unresolved.

With another round of indirect negotiations expected after Ayatollah Khamenei’s funeral, both Tehran and Washington appear focused on preserving the ceasefire and advancing diplomacy while working to prevent renewed instability in one of the world’s most strategically important regions.