US, Iran expected to hold direct talks in Doha in third week of July

The United States and Iran are expected to hold their next round of direct talks in Doha in the third week of July to advance implementation of the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding, Pakistani government sources told Anadolu on Thursday. The talks are expected to focus on the evolving situation in Lebanon and the Strait of Hormuz, the sources said. “Pakistani and Qatari mediators are in constant touch with both sides to resume the direct talks to settle all pending issues,” a source close to the mediation process said.

Positions on Lebanon and frozen assets

Iran has informed mediators that it will not completely reopen the Strait of Hormuz until there is a ceasefire on all fronts and the withdrawal of Israeli troops from southern Lebanon. Tehran also insists that issues related to Lebanon and its frozen assets must be completely settled before any nuclear talks begin. Washington, however, believes that implementation of already settled issues and talks on pending matters should proceed together. On frozen assets, Iran wants the immediate release of its $6 billion funds held in Qatar, while the US has agreed in principle but insists on phased release, subject to MoU implementation. The two sides agreed to discuss the issue further in the next round.