DOHA, Qatar:

The latest round of indirect talks between the United States and Iran ended in Doha on Thursday without a major breakthrough, but both sides agreed to continue negotiations after the funeral ceremonies for former Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, as mediators reported progress on implementing the framework agreement reached in June.

Qatar’s Foreign Ministry said the parties agreed to continue discussions at the earliest possible opportunity following Khamenei’s funeral processions. The ceremonies are expected to begin in Tehran on July 4 before concluding with his burial in Mashhad on July 9, making next week the next major window for diplomacy.

Unlike earlier negotiations that focused on reaching a ceasefire, this round concentrated on implementing the June memorandum of understanding. Officials discussed maritime security in the Strait of Hormuz, mechanisms for monitoring violations, sanctions implementation, financial issues, and the gradual restoration of commercial activity following weeks of conflict.

The negotiations remained indirect throughout the day. American and Iranian delegations met separately with Qatari and Pakistani mediators, who continued carrying messages between both sides. No direct meetings between U.S. and Iranian officials were reported.

Qatar’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Majed Al Ansari said the discussions made “positive progress” on issues related to the June agreement. Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi said meetings with the mediators had concluded and announced that a new communication channel would be established with the United States to report alleged breaches of the agreement, a mechanism intended to prevent disputes from escalating into military confrontations.

President Donald Trump also offered an optimistic assessment, telling reporters the meetings were “very good” and saying Iran’s denuclearization efforts were “moving along well.” Vice President JD Vance similarly said the negotiations were progressing and indicated nuclear issues would become a greater focus during future rounds.

Despite the positive statements from Washington, no new agreements were announced. Iranian officials continued to stress that their priority is implementing commitments already contained in the June framework rather than negotiating new concessions. For Tehran, this phase of diplomacy remains focused on carrying out what has already been agreed before moving to more contentious issues.

One of the central issues remains the Strait of Hormuz, through which roughly 20 percent of the world’s seaborne oil passes. Shipping has gradually resumed since the ceasefire took effect, but insurers, shipping companies and energy traders continue to monitor developments closely as confidence has yet to fully recover.

Technical discussions focused on maintaining commercial traffic through the waterway while reducing the risk of incidents involving military forces operating in the Gulf. The goal is to restore normal shipping patterns without creating new flashpoints that could undermine the broader ceasefire.

Financial issues also remain high on the agenda.

Negotiators continued discussing the possible release of up to approximately $25 billion in frozen Iranian assets, with any future access expected to remain tied to Iran’s compliance with the broader framework and subsequent agreements.

Although Iran’s nuclear program remains the central issue in the overall negotiations, it was not the primary focus of this week’s meetings. Questions surrounding uranium enrichment, existing stockpiles, verification measures and long term restrictions are expected to dominate future rounds once technical implementation of the current agreement advances further.

The broader regional picture also remains closely connected to the negotiations. The June memorandum extended beyond U.S. and Iranian military activity, touching on de escalation across multiple fronts, including Lebanon. Mediators continue to view maintaining calm throughout the region as essential if negotiations are to continue.

One of the challenges facing diplomats is interpreting Iran’s public messaging alongside its negotiating posture. Publicly, Iranian officials continue to use much of the same rhetoric toward the United States and Israel that has characterized the Islamic Republic’s messaging since the 1979 revolution, while warning they will respond forcefully to any perceived violations of the agreement.

At the same time, U.S. officials continue to describe the indirect negotiations as constructive and say progress is being made behind closed doors. That contrast has become one of the defining features of the current diplomatic effort. It remains unclear whether Iran’s public rhetoric is intended primarily for domestic and regional audiences, reflects its negotiating position, or both.

For diplomats, the more significant indicator has been Iran’s continued participation in the negotiations. Despite the public statements exchanged by both sides, Iranian representatives have continued returning to the table through Qatari and Pakistani mediators, while technical discussions have expanded beyond the ceasefire itself to include implementation mechanisms and preparations for future negotiations.

Qatar and Pakistan have emerged as the principal intermediaries since the June agreement was reached.

Doha has become the center for the indirect negotiations, with both countries facilitating communication, helping resolve implementation issues and establishing channels intended to reduce the risk of misunderstandings between Washington and Tehran.

The next phase of negotiations is expected to begin after Khamenei’s funeral concludes on July 9. Officials from both sides have indicated that future meetings will gradually expand beyond technical implementation to address more politically sensitive issues, including Iran’s nuclear program, sanctions relief and longer term regional security arrangements.

For now, both governments appear focused on preserving the ceasefire and ensuring the June agreement remains in place. While the latest round produced no landmark announcement, it kept diplomacy alive and established additional mechanisms designed to manage disputes before they escalate into another military confrontation.