A spokesperson for Qatar’s Foreign Ministry said that separate indirect meetings in Doha between US and Iranian negotiators made “positive progress” on issues tied to the memorandum of understanding, and that both sides have agreed to continue discussions. Al Jazeera’s July 1 confirmed the full statement — the spokesperson said in a post on X that the next meeting would be scheduled at the earliest possible time after funeral processions for Iran’s former supreme leader.
Funeral ceremonies were planned for July 4 through July 9. Today is July 7. The ceremonies conclude in two days. Then the most important diplomatic process of 2026 resumes.
What Was Discussed in Doha
Al Jazeera’s Doha outcomes analysis confirmed that while neither side commented on whether they had managed to bridge any of their differences, Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Gharibabadi told Iranian media that two meetings were held. The first meeting addressed the US’s violations of its obligations, with the sides deciding to establish a communication channel to resolve disputes. The second meeting addressed the release of $6 billion in frozen Iranian funds. During the meetings with Qatari officials, including the Central Bank, a number of issues related to the expenditure of part of the initial $6 billion were reviewed.
US Vice President JD Vance said discussions were held on the Strait of Hormuz, while informed sources said Tehran’s nuclear programme, its frozen funds and the conflict in Lebanon were also on the table.
Iran Wants $6 Billion Released First
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said Iran expected $6 billion of the frozen Iranian funds to be released by the US as a first step. During the meetings with Qatari officials, including the Central Bank, a number of issues related to the expenditure of part of the initial $6 billion were reviewed. It was agreed that, based on the needs communicated by Iran, the required goods would be purchased and made available to Tehran. US President Donald Trump had said in the past that the funds would be used by Iran to buy only US products. Whether that condition survives the next round of talks remains to be seen.
Al Jazeera confirmed Tehran’s communication channel announcement — Iran said it will establish a communication channel with Washington to report breaches of the memorandum of understanding. Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi made the announcement after indirect technical talks between Iran and the US were held in Qatar.
Pakistan and Qatar Co-Mediate the Process
Al Jazeera’s Qatar positive progress report confirmed that Qatar and Pakistan mediators concluded separate meetings with the US and Iranian negotiators in Doha, with positive progress made on issues related to the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding, building on the outcomes of the Lake Lucerne Summit. Qatar’s foreign ministry spokesman Majed al-Ansari confirmed the co-mediation. Pakistan’s foreign ministry issued an identical statement confirming its co-mediation role. The full diplomatic context of the Pakistan-Turkey partnership — including Erdogan’s praise for the Islamabad MOU — shows how the diplomatic momentum is reinforcing itself across multiple bilateral relationships simultaneously.
What Comes Next — and What It Means for Pakistan
US Vice President JD Vance told Fox News that the Trump administration was in a great position regardless of how the talks pan out. The US obviously wants the talks to succeed, Vance said, but added that his country was still in a much stronger position than Iran even if they fail. The Wall Street Journal reported that Trump, when presented recently with a full range of options to restart the war on Iran, told his advisers that he preferred to give diplomacy a chance, and was willing to extend the 60-day truce if needed for discussions on Iran’s nuclear programme.
The 60-day window from the Islamabad MOU signing on June 17 closes on August 16. Pakistan has 40 days left to help bring both sides to a final agreement. Whether talks resume quickly after Thursday’s funeral conclusion — or drag into next week — will determine how much of that window remains usable.
For Pakistani consumers: the petrol price of Rs297.53 depends on the Strait of Hormuz staying open. Shipping traffic in the Strait has stayed consistent, with at least 35 commercial vessels transiting the waterway in the past 24 hours. That is progress — but still a third of the pre-war average of 100 daily crossings. CNN’s Iran war July 2 live coverage tracked the traffic numbers alongside the diplomatic developments.
