Iran and the United States concluded a round of indirect talks in Doha on Wednesday with no sign of progress toward a lasting peace, instead concentrating on issues that both sides said had been resolved under an interim agreement announced two weeks ago. Sources familiar with the discussions said negotiators spent two days addressing maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz and unfreezing Iran's funds—two critical components of the initial accord.
Next Meeting After Khamenei's Funeral
Qatar's Foreign Ministry announced that the next meeting will take place after the funeral processions for Iran's late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who is scheduled to be buried on July 9. The ministry spokesperson stated on X that the Doha discussions produced "positive progress" on issues related to the memorandum that halted the war in June and were "building on the outcomes" of a summit in Switzerland.
Trump's Optimism Contradicted by Sources
In Washington, US President Donald Trump told reporters that the two sides were making progress on possible limits to Iran's nuclear program—the main reason he launched the war along with Israel in February. "The denuclearisation of Iran is moving along well," Trump said. "They've had very good meetings, and we'll see." However, sources familiar with the talks said the nuclear program did not come up during the discussions, which were technical in nature. US Vice President JD Vance acknowledged that the matter would be addressed later, stating, "Obviously, we're worried about the nuclear issue; we're going to start talking about that."
Mediation and Absent High-Level Envoys
American and Iranian negotiators held separate meetings with Qatari and Pakistani mediators, according to Qatar's foreign ministry. Notably, Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner and top US envoy Steve Witkoff, dispatched for what the White House had billed as "high-level" talks, did not attend the sessions, a source speaking on condition of anonymity revealed. The leader of Iran's delegation, Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi, confirmed that the talks concluded. Neither side indicated whether any differences had been bridged.
Strait of Hormuz Control Remains Contentious
The initial deal calls for Iran and the United States to allow shipping to resume through the Strait of Hormuz, which handled one-fifth of global oil and liquid natural gas trade before the war. Although traffic has partially resumed, the status of the strategic waterway remains unclear, and the two countries exchanged strikes last weekend following an Iranian attack on a cargo ship. Two senior Iranian sources said Iran is determined to win international recognition of its control over the strait, even by force, and has repeatedly stated it will assess tolls on shipping starting in mid-August, after a toll-free period specified by the initial agreement expires.
Oil Prices Drop on Trump's Remarks
Trump's comments on Wednesday downplayed the possibility of a return to all-out war with Iran. "I think they've come a long way," he said. Following his remarks, oil prices fell to their lowest level in four months, and analysts cut their price forecasts for the first time since the war began. Iran's state media reported that a foreign container ship had run aground in shallow waters outside the shipping route designated by Iranian authorities. "Hormuz continues to reopen but it's patchy, unpredictable, and not fully transparent," said Vandana Hari, founder of oil market analysis provider Vanda Insights.
European Mine-Clearing Efforts Stalled
Several European countries have offered to help clear mines from the Strait, but Germany's Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said he did not expect his country to participate, citing Iran's unwillingness to cooperate with other nations.
