Pakistan and Qatar have reported positive progress after separate meetings with United States and Iranian negotiators in Doha, the Foreign Office said on Thursday. Shehbaz Sharif Visit PM to travel to Iran and Turkiye for diplomacy and trade talks According to the Foreign Office, the talks advanced issues linked to the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). The discussions also built on negotiations held in Switzerland earlier this month. Furthermore, both sides agreed to continue the dialogue. Officials will announce the next round of talks after the funeral of Iran’s late Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei. Iran is expected to hold the funeral on July 9. Qatar’s foreign ministry also released the same statement earlier in the day. Focus on maritime security Sources familiar with the negotiations said the delegations spent two days discussing maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz. They also discussed the release of Iran’s frozen financial assets. Both issues form part of the initial agreement between Washington and Tehran. Nuclear issue discussed separately Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump said the two countries had made progress on limiting Iran’s nuclear programme. He told reporters that negotiations were moving in a positive direction. However, sources familiar with the Doha meetings said negotiators did not discuss the nuclear programme during the latest round. Instead, they described the talks as technical in nature. US Vice President JD Vance said officials would address the nuclear issue during future negotiations. Iran plans communication mechanism Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi said participants agreed to establish a communication channel to report and record any violations of the MoU. He also said Iran would use part of its frozen assets in Qatar to purchase essential goods. According to Gharibabadi, officials discussed the release of funds during meetings with Qatari authorities, including the central bank. The Islamabad MoU, brokered by Pakistan and Qatar, emerged from a summit in Lucerne last month. The agreement introduced a 60-day ceasefire, supported the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and created a roadmap for future negotiations on Iran’s nuclear programme. Post navigation Greece Wildfire Two dead after blaze destroys house near Thessaloniki
