Mediators Say Iran Talks Made Encouraging Progress, With New Mechanisms for Further Negotiations

At the end of the first round of U.S.-Iran talks held overnight Monday in Qatar, Qatar and Pakistan said there had been “encouraging progress” and that the discussions were “positive and constructive.” Their joint statement said the sides agreed to create a mechanism for continued technical talks, a “high-level committee” to supervise the political side of the mediation, and working groups on nuclear issues, sanctions, and a group to monitor and resolve disputes, in order to ensure implementation of the memorandum of understanding.

Shortly afterward, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi posted on X that the “relentless mediation” of Pakistan and Qatar had led to “major progress” toward ending the war in Lebanon. He added that sanctions on oil and petrochemical exports had been suspended, the naval blockade lifted, some frozen assets released, and a major Iranian reconstruction and economic development plan had begun. “The first real test: the conflict-prevention unit in Lebanon,” he wrote.

The talks came after a tense weekend on the Iranian front, during which one round was canceled and threats were made to fire missiles at Israel. Reports on Sunday night said the delegation had left after remarks by U.S. President Donald Trump, and Reuters later quoted an Iranian source saying the talks were “paused, not ended.” The delegation was led by Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.

Trump told Fox News that the United States might have to take control of the Strait of Hormuz, adding, “if needed, I’ll blow them to the end.” On Lebanon, he said, “I am close to letting Syria deal with Hezbollah; Israel cannot do it without flattening buildings.” On TRUTH Social, he wrote that Iran must stop Hezbollah from causing trouble, or “we will hit Iran very hard again.”