- Since the US-Iran deal was signed last month, the sides have exchanged fire in the Gulf
DOHA: US President Donald Trump on Wednesday welcomed progress in indirect negotiations between Washington and Tehran in Qatar, as both sides sought to advance implementation of their recent memorandum of understanding and ease tensions following recent military exchanges.
Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi, who headed Tehran’s delegation, said the talks had concluded with an agreement to establish a communication mechanism by Thursday to monitor and document any violations of the initial accord.
Tehran reiterated that no direct negotiations with the United States were taking place in Doha, maintaining its position that contacts remained indirect despite earlier remarks by Trump suggesting otherwise.
“As far as things are going, the denuclearization of Iran is moving along well,” Trump told reporters before boarding Air Force One.
Technical Talks Focus on Implementing Lucerne Agreement
Diplomatic sources said the lower-level discussions in Doha were primarily aimed at implementing provisions of the memorandum of understanding reached during last month’s summit in Lucerne, Switzerland.
The agreement, brokered by Qatar and Pakistan, established a 60-day ceasefire framework, called for the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, and outlined a roadmap toward a broader settlement covering regional hostilities and Iran’s nuclear programme.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei dismissed suggestions of direct engagement with Washington, stating that Tehran had “no plans for negotiations with the American side at any level over the coming days.”
Gharibabadi said the talks also addressed the issue of frozen Iranian assets, a key demand by Tehran in any future settlement. He noted that both sides reviewed the use of an initial $6 billion and agreed on arrangements to purchase and deliver essential goods needed by Iran.
Senior US Envoys Absent from Doha Discussions
According to diplomatic sources, US envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff did not participate in the technical negotiations. However, they met Qatar’s Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani on Tuesday to discuss the broader US-Iran process and regional developments, including the situation in Lebanon.
Qatar’s foreign ministry said the discussions focused on ongoing diplomatic efforts and regional stability. On Wednesday, the office of Qatar’s emir confirmed that Kushner and Witkoff also met Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.
Anna Jacobs, a non-resident fellow at the Arab Gulf States Institute, said the negotiations remained at an early stage.
“It is very early in the negotiation process, and battles are being fought privately and publicly,” she told AFP, adding that continued engagement following recent clashes was a positive sign.
Recent Clashes Highlight Challenges to Lasting Peace
Despite the agreement reached last month, tensions have persisted. Iran recently targeted a commercial vessel it said had deviated from its authorised route through the Strait of Hormuz, prompting US Central Command to launch strikes against 10 Iranian military positions.
Tehran subsequently carried out attacks on US military facilities in Kuwait and Bahrain, actions that drew criticism from Gulf governments.
Iran’s chief negotiator, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, acknowledged on Tuesday that implementing such a significant agreement would inevitably involve disputes and operational challenges.
“When a war of this magnitude comes to an end, implementation challenges, incidents and differences of opinion are unavoidable, particularly where parties such as Israel are involved,” he said.
Ghalibaf added that Iran’s delegation in Doha was focusing on provisions related to the Strait of Hormuz and the conflict in Lebanon.
Lebanon and Hormuz Remain Key Issues
The relative calm in recent days has boosted hopes for sustained diplomacy, with oil prices declining as markets responded positively to continued US-Iran engagement.
Fighting between Israel and the Iran-backed Hezbollah movement in Lebanon has also eased. Hezbollah entered the wider regional conflict earlier this year by launching rocket attacks on Israel, prompting Israeli air strikes and a subsequent ground operation.
Tehran has maintained that any comprehensive settlement must include an end to hostilities in Lebanon and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from southern Lebanese territory.
Reflecting on recent military exchanges, Trump said: “We hit them very hard, but we’re getting along very well,” underscoring his administration’s confidence in the ongoing diplomatic process.
BY: The Times Union
