US and Iran Wrap Doha Talks With No Breakthrough
US and Iran Wrap Doha Talks With No Breakthrough — Strait of Hormuz and Frozen Funds on the Table
DOHA, QATAR — Indirect talks between the United States and Iran have concluded in Doha with no indication of progress toward a lasting peace, as negotiators from both sides revisited issues they had already claimed were settled under the interim agreement announced two weeks ago.
Sources familiar with the discussions told LTT Media that the two-day sessions focused on maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz and the unfreezing of Iranian funds — both critical components of the initial deal that halted the war in June.
What Was Actually Discussed
The Doha talks were mediated by Qatari and Pakistani officials. US and Iranian negotiators held separate meetings with the mediators rather than face-to-face sessions.
Qatar's Foreign Ministry claimed the discussions produced "positive progress" on issues tied to the June memorandum and were "building on the outcomes" of a summit in Switzerland. However, neither side reported bridging any substantive differences.
KEY FACT: Jared Kushner and top US envoy Steve Witkoff — dispatched to the region for what the White House had billed as "high-level" talks — did not attend the Doha sessions, according to a source speaking on condition of anonymity.
Trump's Claims vs. Reality
In Washington, President Donald Trump told reporters that the two sides were making progress on possible limits to Iran's nuclear programme — the stated reason he launched the war alongside Israel in February.
"The denuclearisation of Iran is moving along well," Trump said. "They've had very good meetings, and we'll see."
However, sources directly involved in the Doha talks confirmed the nuclear programme was not discussed. The sessions were technical in nature, focused solely on implementation of the existing ceasefire terms.
US Vice President J.D. Vance acknowledged the nuclear issue would be addressed later. "Obviously, we're worried about the nuclear issue, we're going to start talking about that," he told reporters.
The Strait of Hormuz: The Real Flashpoint
The initial deal calls for both countries to allow shipping to resume through the Strait of Hormuz, the strategic waterway that handles one-fifth of global oil and liquid natural gas trade. Traffic has only partially resumed.
The status of the strait remains volatile. The two countries exchanged strikes last weekend following an Iranian attack on a cargo ship. Iran is determined to secure international recognition of its control over the strait — by force if necessary — and has repeatedly stated it will impose tolls on shipping starting mid-August, once a toll-free period specified in the initial agreement expires.
On Wednesday, Iran's state media reported that a foreign container ship had run aground in shallow waters outside the shipping route designated by Iranian authorities.
"Hormuz continues to reopen but it's patchy, unpredictable, and not fully transparent," said Vandana Hari, founder of oil market analysis provider Vanda Insights.
European Mine-Clearance Offer Rejected
Several European countries have offered to assist with clearing mines from the Strait of Hormuz. However, Germany's Defence Minister Boris Pistorius said he does not expect German participation, citing Iran's unwillingness to cooperate with other nations.
What Happens Next
The next round of talks will not take place until after funeral processions for Iran's late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who is due to be buried on 9 July, Qatar's Foreign Ministry confirmed.
Trump's remarks played down the possibility of a return to all-out war. "I think they've come a long way," he said. Oil prices fell to their lowest level in four months following his comments, with analysts cutting price forecasts for the first time since the war began in February.
Iran's delegation leader, Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi, confirmed the talks had concluded. Neither side indicated whether any differences had been narrowed.