Officials from the United States and Iran conducted indirect, low-level technical talks in Doha on Wednesday, mediated by third-party representatives from Qatar and Pakistan, according to diplomatic sources. The closed-door session, held without direct contact between US and Iranian delegations, aimed to advance discussions on nuclear issues, diplomatic affairs, financial matters, and the unfreezing of Iran’s overseas assets.
The talks follow a June interim agreement under which Iran agreed to reduce its stockpile of enriched uranium, while the US lifted certain oil sanctions, guaranteed free passage through the Strait of Hormuz, and set a 60-day deadline to negotiate broader terms. Despite these steps, the two sides remain sharply divided on key provisions of a more comprehensive framework to end ongoing hostilities in the region.
Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, who also serves as the country's chief negotiator, reaffirmed Tehran’s preference for diplomatic engagement but warned that preconditions must be met before further negotiations resume. In a televised interview on Tuesday, he stated that while Iran is pursuing dialogue, it remains prepared for military confrontation if talks fail to produce results.
The indirect talks represent a continuation of a pattern in US-Iran diplomacy, with previous rounds having collapsed and coinciding with heightened conflict, including a 12-day war initiated by Israel against Iran last year and a subsequent joint US-Israel offensive beginning in February. Clashes near the strategically important Strait of Hormuz have heightened concerns about disruptions to global energy markets, prompting fears of further escalation.
Recent cross-border exchanges and attempts to reopen Oman’s territorial waters for shipping have increased tensions, contributing to the grounding of a commercial vessel in the strait after it reportedly failed to follow Iran’s navigation routes, according to Iranian state television.
These developments have affected financial markets, with oil prices rising modestly and Asian equities experiencing uncertainty amid the precarious outlook for diplomatic progress and the security of shipping lanes. Vandana Hari, founder of oil market analysis firm Vanda Insights, noted that the market may remain cautious until signs of sustained peace emerge between Washington and Tehran.
Meanwhile, preparations in Tehran are underway for the state funeral of Iran’s late supreme leader Ali Khamenei, whose remains are being displayed at the Grand Mosalla religious complex. Officials expect between 15 and 20 million mourners to attend the ceremonies on Saturday, potentially marking the largest state funeral in the country’s history.