US-Iran talks to resume after Ayatollah Khamenei's funeral, says Qatar

The US and Iran will resume talks on the war after the funeral of the former Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, mediator Qatar announced on Thursday.

Hailing "positive progress" made in the previous meetings, Qatar said, "Qatar & Pakistan 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."

"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," the statement added.

Ali Khamenei's funeral

Iran's former supreme leader Ali Khamenei, who was killed in US-Israeli attacks in late February, is due to be buried on July 9 in the northeastern city of Mashhad.

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The funeral ceremonies will pass through a series of locations that reflect the religious, political and ideological pillars of the Islamic republic.

From the seat of power in Tehran to the Shia holy cities of Qom, Karbala, Najaf and finally Mashhad, each stop holds symbolic importance.

Indian leaders invited

Iran has extended formal invitations to senior leaders from both the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Congress to attend the multi-day state funeral.

According to reports, the invitations have been sent to BJP National President Nitin Nabin, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, senior BJP leader Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, Congress leader Salman Khurshid, and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chief Mehbooba Mufti.

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge has not yet decided whether he will attend the funeral. The party is also expected to take a call on the composition of any delegation that may travel to Iran for the event.

The Government of India has already decided to send Minister of State for External Affairs Pabitra Margherita and Bihar Governor Lieutenant General (Retired) Syed Ata Hasnain to represent the country at the funeral.