US and Iran end Doha talks as Qatar reports progress
Qatari authorities said indirect US-Iran talks in Doha advanced issues tied to a June 17 memorandum of understanding.
By Lucas Ferreira · Science & Environment Writer
2 min read
The United States and Iran have finished technical-level indirect negotiations in Doha, with Qatari authorities saying the discussions made “positive progress” on issues tied to a June 17 memorandum of understanding. The talks provide a diplomatic channel after recent US strikes on Iran and as fighting continues elsewhere in the region, according to Al Jazeera and officials cited in its live updates.
US President Donald Trump said the discussions were going “very well” and described meetings in Doha as “very good,” according to Al Jazeera. Trump also said the denuclearisation of Iran was going well, while speaking after the recent US military action against Iran.
Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi said a communications channel would be created to report and discuss violations of the memorandum, according to Al Jazeera. The update did not give further details on how the channel would work or who would take part.
Doha talks follow June 17 memorandum
Qatari authorities linked the reported progress to issues related to the memorandum signed on June 17, according to Al Jazeera. The update described the meeting as indirect, meaning US and Iranian representatives did not hold direct talks.
Qatar has hosted the latest round of discussions in Doha, Al Jazeera reported. The update did not publish the full terms of the memorandum or specify which technical issues were addressed in the talks.
Incidents reported across the region
Al Jazeera also reported that a foreign container ship ran aground in the Strait of Hormuz after entering shallow waters outside Iran’s designated shipping route. No further information was provided in the update about the vessel, its crew or possible disruption to traffic in the waterway.
In Lebanon, Israeli forces continued attacks in the south, according to Al Jazeera. Lebanese media reported a large explosion in Rashaf and a bombing in Beit Yahoun, the outlet said.
Al Jazeera also reported that Israeli forces killed five Palestinians in Gaza. The report did not provide additional details on the circumstances of the deaths.
Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said Israel’s military would keep occupying what he called “security zones” in Lebanon, Syria and Gaza “until further notice,” according to Al Jazeera. His comments came as Israeli military activity continued in several areas cited in the updates.
The latest developments follow Al Jazeera’s continuing coverage of the United States and Israel’s war on Iran and Israeli attacks on Lebanon. An Associated Press photo cited by Al Jazeera showed displaced resident Jacqueline Nasr al-Din collecting belongings from a shelter tent before returning to her home in Dahiyeh, in Beirut’s southern suburbs, on June 30.
This story draws on original reporting from Al Jazeera.