Indirect talks between the United States and Iran are underway in Doha on Wednesday, 1 July, facilitated by Qatar and Pakistan, as both sides work through the terms of a recently signed diplomatic agreement. The sessions are being held without face-to-face contact between American and Iranian delegations, with mediators shuttling between the two sides.

How the Talks Are Structured

'The talks are taking place indirectly now, with no face-to-face meetings between the two sides,' a source said. 'The sessions are closed and are being facilitated by the mediators.'

The discussions centre on implementing the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) reached in Islamabad on 17 June, covering two primary issues: the release of frozen Iranian assets and maritime security arrangements in the Strait of Hormuz.

US Envoys Arrive, No Direct Meetings Planned

Qatar confirmed on Tuesday that US President Donald Trump's special envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner have arrived in Doha but will not hold direct meetings with Iranian officials. Qatari Foreign Ministry spokesperson Majed Al-Ansari, speaking at the weekly press briefing, said the US delegation would instead engage with mediators to assess progress on MoU implementation.

Al-Ansari also confirmed that the $6 billion in frozen Iranian assets has not yet been transferred to Tehran — a sticking point that reportedly continues to shadow the broader diplomatic process.

Conflicting Narratives From Washington and Tehran

The talks have been accompanied by conflicting characterisations from both capitals. Washington has described the Doha discussions as part of an implementation process for the MoU, while Tehran has denied that any direct negotiations with US officials are scheduled — a distinction that underscores the fragility of the current diplomatic arrangement.

Notably, this is not the first time the two sides have offered divergent accounts of their contacts, reflecting deep mutual distrust that mediators are attempting to bridge.

Iran's Conditions for Advancing Talks

Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, who also heads Iran's negotiating team, said in an interview with state broadcaster IRIB TV that Iran will not enter negotiations on a final agreement unless specific preliminary provisions of the MoU are fulfilled first.

Qalibaf outlined five conditions that must be met before further implementation begins: ending the war on all fronts including Lebanon, lifting the US naval blockade, reopening the Strait of Hormuz, issuing US waivers for Iranian crude oil exports, and releasing the frozen Iranian assets. He said Iran's recent engagement in Switzerland was aimed at advancing these provisions.

On the Lebanon front, Qalibaf said Iran, the United States, and Lebanon have agreed to form a joint committee to enforce the ceasefire and uphold Lebanese sovereignty. He added that Iran and the US have already named their respective representatives to the committee.

What Comes Next

The trajectory of the Doha process will depend heavily on whether mediators can bridge the gap between Washington's implementation-first approach and Tehran's preconditions-first stance. With frozen assets still untransferred and maritime arrangements unresolved, the talks remain at an early and delicate stage. Any breakthrough — or breakdown — in Doha could have significant implications for regional stability and global energy markets.