Working-level delegations from Iran and the United States, along with mediators, met in Doha, Qatar, to discuss ending the war, but no significant progress was made.

The two sides, which did not meet face-to-face, limited their discussions to ensuring that previously agreed-upon terms were not violated. They agreed to resume working-level negotiations after the funeral of the former Iranian Supreme Leader.

According to foreign media, including Iran's state-run IRNA news agency, on July 1 (local time), the Iranian working-level delegation concluded their meetings with mediators in Doha, Qatar.

Kazem Gharibabadi, Deputy Foreign Minister and head of the Iranian delegation, told IRNA, "The Doha talks, which focused on the implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the U.S. and Iran to end the war, have concluded."

He explained, "The Iranian delegation met with the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Qatar this morning. Subsequent discussions were held in the form of two joint meetings with delegations from mediating countries, including Qatar and Pakistan, but there was no meeting with the U.S. side."

The Iranian side also held separate meetings with officials from the Central Bank of Qatar to discuss the issue of frozen funds.

Gharibabadi stated, "The issues of Lebanon and the release of frozen assets were addressed in particular," adding that it was decided to purchase necessary goods for Iran as needed.

It is reported that the Iranian side focused on raising the issue of U.S. violations of the MOU to the mediators.

Gharibabadi announced, "The participating countries have agreed to establish a communication channel by July 2 to report and document any violations of the MOU."

According to IRNA, in consultations with mediators, the Iranian side pointed out U.S. violations of obligations under the MOU related to ending the war in Lebanon, U.S. movements to increase military equipment and troops in the West Asian region, and "threatening and interfering" remarks by U.S. officials.

IRNA reported that the Iranian side emphasized that the obligations of the parties under the MOU are integrated and cannot be judged or separated individually.

While the meetings between the Iranian delegation and the mediators were underway, a U.S. delegation led by President Donald Trump's Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and the President's son-in-law, Jared Kushner, also remained in Qatar and held meetings with Qatari officials.

According to Reuters, Special Envoy Witkoff and Kushner did not participate directly in the working-level meetings with mediators, but were represented by their staff.

The U.S. and Iranian delegations held indirect talks, exchanging views through Qatari and Pakistani mediators in separate rooms.

Gharibabadi stated that there were no plans to meet face-to-face with the U.S. delegation at any level, seemingly mindful of the scrutiny and face of hardliners back home.

Kushner and Special Envoy Witkoff signaled the importance of the negotiations through their visit to Doha, but did not engage in the talks directly, instead coordinating behind the scenes with the Emir and Prime Minister of Qatar.

The Qatari Foreign Ministry, which hosted the talks, stated after the conclusion of the meetings that there had been "positive progress," but no specific results have been disclosed.

The AP reported that while the delegations aim to finalize details so that the leaders of both countries can confirm an agreement, significant differences remain regarding the Strait of Hormuz and the situation in Lebanon.

Iran and the U.S. agreed to open the Strait of Hormuz without tolls for 60 days following the MOU, but the Iranian side maintains its position that it must control the waterway and will impose tolls after the 60-day period.

Reuters, citing two senior Iranian sources, reported that Iran is prepared to use force if necessary to ensure its control over the Strait of Hormuz is internationally recognized.

The Qatari Foreign Ministry announced that working-level discussions between the U.S., Iran, and the mediators will resume after the funeral proceedings for former Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei conclude.

Iran is scheduled to hold funeral ceremonies for Ayatollah Khamenei over six days, from July 4 to 9, in cities including Tehran, Qom, and Mashhad.

(Photo: AP, Yonhap News)