Pakistan-Qatar advance US-Iran dialogue، Doha talks show positive momentum

In an official statement, the Foreign Office said Pakistani and Qatari mediators held separate meetings with the American and Iranian negotiating teams in the Qatari capital.

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Qatar have facilitated another round of indirect negotiations between the United States and Iran in Doha, where both sides reported encouraging progress on key issues linked to the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), according to Pakistan’s Foreign Office.

In an official statement, the Foreign Office said Pakistani and Qatari mediators held separate meetings with the American and Iranian negotiating teams in the Qatari capital. The discussions built on the understandings reached during the Lake Lucerne Summit and resulted in positive developments regarding matters covered under the Islamabad MoU.

The statement confirmed that both parties agreed to continue negotiations in the coming weeks, with the next round of talks expected to take place as soon as possible after the funeral ceremonies of Iran’s former Supreme Leader. However, officials did not disclose the specific issues discussed, the composition of the negotiating teams, or an exact date for the next meeting.

Qatar also described the latest diplomatic engagement as productive. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Majed Al-Ansari said the mediators had achieved positive progress and that both sides had committed to maintaining dialogue in pursuit of further agreements.

The renewed diplomatic efforts come as US Vice President JD Vance expressed optimism about the ongoing discussions. Speaking during a visit to Virginia Beach, Vance said the talks were progressing well and emphasized that President Donald Trump remained committed to achieving a negotiated settlement rather than returning to military action unless absolutely necessary.

According to Vance, the current phase of negotiations initially focuses on ensuring safe commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz before expanding to more complex issues, including Iran’s nuclear programme.

The dialogue follows a 14-point interim agreement reached last month that helped halt hostilities after the conflict triggered by US-Israeli strikes on Iran earlier this year. The accord also paved the way for negotiations aimed at securing a long-term peace arrangement while reopening the strategically important Strait of Hormuz.

Despite the diplomatic progress, differences remain over the interpretation of the interim agreement. Public disagreements between Washington and Tehran have led to limited military exchanges in recent days, highlighting the challenges that remain before a comprehensive settlement can be reached.

Iran has maintained that it seeks international recognition of its authority over the Strait of Hormuz and wants access to approximately $6 billion in frozen Iranian assets. Meanwhile, the United States continues to prioritize uninterrupted maritime traffic through the vital waterway and has reiterated its demand for meaningful progress on Iran’s nuclear activities.

US President Donald Trump also expressed confidence that efforts toward Iran’s denuclearization were moving in the right direction, though he did not provide additional details.

The Doha negotiations are being conducted through indirect channels, with Pakistan and Qatar serving as mediators between the two sides. Diplomatic sources said the talks involve senior negotiators and technical experts working on both security and economic issues as efforts continue to reduce regional tensions and lay the foundation for a broader peace agreement.