As diplomacy moves closer to settling the Middle East conflict, mediators announced on Thursday that the next indirect US-Iran discussions will take place following the funeral of the late Iranian supreme commander. Despite exchanges of fire this week, US President Donald Trump and mediators Qatar and Pakistan presented indications that diplomacy was holding after the adversaries’ indirect talks in Doha on Wednesday. Although a temporary agreement was reached to reopen the crucial Strait of Hormuz and put a halt to hostilities, significant issues, such as Iran’s nuclear program, still require discussion.Positive progress was made at separate sessions between Qatari and Pakistani mediators and US and Iranian negotiators in Doha on Wednesday, Pakistan said on Thursday.
In Tehran, Iran, on Wednesday, people pass a mural depicting the late Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the country’s supreme leader. Reuters Islamabad reported the sides agreed to keep discussing, “with the next meeting to be set at the earliest possible time following the funeral processions of the former Iranian Supreme Leader.” Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was assassinated aged 86 at his compound in the middle of the Iranian capital on February 28, the first day of the conflict. Power was rapidly passed to his son Mojtaba.
Ali Khamenei’s remains will be laid in state at the massive compound in central Tehran, which is the site of important Friday prayers, formal ceremonies, and religious meetings. The public funeral will start on Saturday. His funeral will take place on July 9 at the shrine of Imam Reza in the northeastern city of Mashhad, his birthplace. Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi, who led Tehran’s delegation, said Wednesday’ negotiations had concluded with an agreement to create a communications channel by Thursday to report and document alleged violations of the memorandum. Iran had maintained that direct talks with the US will not take place in Doha. Before boarding Air Force One on Wednesday, Trump told reporters, “As far as things are going, the denuclearization of Iran is moving along well.”
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