Iran, US conclude Qatar talks on implementing ceasefire memorandum

Iran and the United States have concluded discussions in Qatar on implementing a memorandum of understanding aimed at ending the West Asia conflict, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi said on Wednesday.

The two sides agreed to establish a communication channel by Thursday to document and report any violations of the memorandum, Iran’s state-run IRNA news agency quoted Gharibabadi as saying.

The talks in Doha focused on practical steps to implement the agreement, which was designed to halt fighting and pave the way for a broader settlement between Tehran and Washington.

U.S. President Donald Trump welcomed the progress, saying indirect negotiations in Qatar had produced “very good meetings” as both sides worked to reduce tensions following recent military exchanges.

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“As far as things are going, the denuclearisation of Iran is moving along well,” Trump told reporters before boarding a new Qatar-provided Air Force One aircraft for a trip to North Dakota.

“We hit them very hard... but we’re getting along very well,” he added.

The comments came after an initial disagreement over the format of the discussions, with Iran insisting that there would be no direct talks between the two sides in Doha.

Talks focus on implementing ceasefire deal

The memorandum of understanding, brokered by Qatar and Pakistan, followed a summit held last month in Lucerne, Switzerland.

The agreement includes a 60-day ceasefire, the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and a framework for negotiations toward a permanent end to the conflict, including an agreement on Iran’s nuclear programme.

A diplomat familiar with the discussions said the Doha meetings involved technical-level negotiations with Qatari and Pakistani mediators present.

The talks were intended to build on progress made during the Lucerne summit and focus on resolving details related to the memorandum’s implementation.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei said Tehran’s delegation, led by Gharibabadi, had no plans to hold direct negotiations with U.S. officials.

U.S. envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff did not participate in the technical discussions, although they held separate meetings with Qatar’s prime minister and emir earlier in the week.

Qatar said the meetings covered the ongoing US-Iran talks under the memorandum framework as well as developments in Lebanon.

Disputes remain over implementation

Analysts said both sides appeared committed to continuing engagement but were also presenting different public messages about the negotiations.

Anna Jacobs of the Arab Gulf States Institute said the talks were still at an early stage, with disagreements being managed both privately and publicly.

HA Hellyer of the Royal United Services Institute said limited transparency around the discussions had created uncertainty, with Washington and Tehran offering contrasting accounts.

Since the memorandum was signed last month, tensions have continued despite the ceasefire. Iran targeted a commercial vessel that it said had violated approved routes through the Strait of Hormuz, while the U.S. military said it later struck Iranian military targets.

Iran responded with attacks on U.S. bases in Kuwait and Bahrain, both of which condemned Tehran’s actions.

Iranian officials said their delegation in Doha would focus on implementing provisions related to the Strait of Hormuz and the conflict in Lebanon.

Tehran has insisted that any final settlement must also address fighting between Israel and Hezbollah and include an Israeli withdrawal from parts of southern Lebanon.

Violence in Lebanon has eased in recent days, with fighting between Israel and Hezbollah remaining relatively limited ahead of the Qatar discussions.

With inputs from agencies