Iran and the United States held indirect technical talks in Doha on July 1, 2026, facilitated by Qatar and Pakistan, making positive progress on issues related to a recent memorandum of understanding though no lasting peace breakthrough was reached [1, 2]. The talks took place amid preparations for the four-day funeral of Iran's former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, scheduled to begin in Tehran on July 3 [3, 2].
Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani met separately with the US and Iranian delegations during the talks, acting as a mediator alongside Pakistan. Majed Al Ansari, a spokesman for Qatar's Foreign Ministry, said the mediators "concluded separate meetings with the US & Iranian negotiators in Doha today, with positive progress made on issues related to the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding, building on the outcomes of the Lake Lucerne Summit." He added that "the parties agreed to continue discussions over the coming period, with the next meeting to be scheduled at the earliest possible time following the funeral processions of the former Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei" [2].
Iran's technical delegation was headed by Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi, while senior negotiators Abbas Araghchi and Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf did not attend [1]. Gharibabadi said during meetings with Qatari officials, including the Central Bank, that "a number of issues related to the expenditure of part of the initial $6bn were reviewed. It was agreed that, based on the needs communicated by our country, the required goods would be purchased and made available to Iran" [1].
The talks addressed US violations of obligations, established a new communication channel for resolving disputes, and discussed arrangements for the release and expenditure of $6 billion of Iran's frozen funds [1].
The diplomatic efforts come amid a backdrop of tit-for-tat military attacks and a dispute over shipping routes in the strategically important Strait of Hormuz. Commercial ship traffic through the Strait rebounded by more than 50% in the week of June 22 to 28 compared to the previous week [1].
Iran denies reports that the International Atomic Energy Agency accessed nuclear sites bombed during last year's 12-day conflict [1].
Ali Khamenei, Iran's Supreme Leader, was killed in a US-Israeli strike on February 28, 2026. His funeral proceedings were scheduled to start in Tehran on July 3, lasting four days [3, 2]. The parties agreed to continue their talks at the earliest possible opportunity after the funeral processions conclude [2].
