Iran and U.S. Agree on Channel to Report MoU Breaches After Qatar Talks

Iran said it will set up a direct communication channel with Washington to report any breaches of the memorandum of understanding signed two weeks ago to halt the U.S.-Israel conflict. Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi made the announcement after indirect technical talks held in Qatar on Wednesday.

Gharibabadi said part of the $6 billion in frozen Iranian assets would be used to purchase goods Tehran needs. During meetings with Qatari officials, including the Central Bank, negotiators reviewed how the initial $6 billion would be spent, he said. It was agreed that goods would be bought according to needs communicated by Iran and then made available to the country.

The talks also addressed shipping through the Strait of Hormuz and maintaining the ceasefire amid reported breaches since the MoU was signed. The memorandum, brokered by Qatar and Pakistan, sets a 60-day ceasefire, reopens the strait, and outlines a timeline for a final deal on Iran’s nuclear program.

U.S. and Iranian positions have differed on the interim agreement, resulting in tit-for-tat strikes over the past week even as some traffic has resumed.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Majed Al-Ansari said mediators from Qatar and Pakistan held separate meetings in Doha on Wednesday and reported positive progress. “The parties agreed to continue discussions over the coming period, with the next meeting to be scheduled at the earliest possible time following the funeral processions of the former Iranian Supreme Leader,” he posted on X.

Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani met U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner on Wednesday and reaffirmed Qatar’s mediation role alongside Pakistan. Oil prices fell about 2 percent on Wednesday to their lowest level since February amid optimism over the talks.