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QATAR PERSPECTIVE
US-IRAN TALKS WRAP UP IN DOHA: 'PROGRESS' ON HORMUZ, WAR ON HOLD
DOMINANT ANGLE
Doha consolidates its status as a central mediator between Washington and Tehran, displaying 'positive progress' on the Islamabad memorandum - but the Iranian military threat to routes in the Strait of Hormuz, formulated the day after the discussions, tempers the surrounding optimism.
Dominant angle identified — does not reflect unanimity of this country’s media
ANALYSIS
Doha, July 3, 2026. Indirect talks between the United States and Iran concluded on Wednesday in Doha with a statement of 'positive progress,' according to Dr. Majed al-Ansari, spokesperson for the Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The two delegations, separately met with Qatari and Pakistani mediation teams, did not exchange directly - Tehran and Washington each met with the mediators on their side.
These discussions are part of the Islamabad memorandum, signed in June. The 14-point text provides for a 60-day ceasefire, the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz - closed since the US-Israeli strikes in late February - and a roadmap for permanent negotiations. The Doha discussions focused on two aspects: navigation modalities in the strait and the financial incentives promised to Tehran.
On the financial side, Kazem Gharibabadi, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister and head of the delegation, confirmed that an agreement had been reached on the use of part of the $6 billion in frozen Iranian assets. 'The necessary goods will be purchased and made available to Iran,' he said. A communication channel has also been agreed upon to report and record alleged violations of the memorandum - a mechanism deemed essential by Tehran.
On the American side, neither Jared Kushner nor special envoy Steve Witkoff - despite being presented as key figures by the White House - participated in the sessions. Donald Trump ruled out any risk of renewed combat, while Vice President JD Vance acknowledged that the nuclear dossier, considered more complex, would only be addressed at a later stage. The next meeting will be planned after the funeral ceremonies of the late Iranian Supreme Leader.
The displayed optimism was, however, put to the test the very next day: the Iranian military command Khatam al-Anbiya issued a warning on Thursday against any ship using 'unapproved' routes in the Strait of Hormuz, promising an 'immediate and forceful' response. The warning came just hours after USCENTCOM chaired a security dialogue in Bahrain. Gharibabadi rejected this initiative, estimating that such a forum 'cannot establish a legal order' in the strait.
Qatar thus finds itself managing both positive diplomatic signals and persistent military tensions in one of the world's most strategic maritime routes.
KEY POINTS
- Qatar and Pakistan announced 'positive progress' on the Islamabad memorandum following separate meetings with the American and Iranian delegations in Doha, according to Dr. Majed al-Ansari (Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs).
- Iran and the United States agreed to establish a communication channel to report violations of the memorandum; part of the $6 billion in frozen Iranian assets will be used to purchase goods for Tehran (Kazem Gharibabadi, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister).
- The day after the discussions, the Iranian military command Khatam al-Anbiya threatened an 'immediate and forceful' response to any ship using unapproved routes in the Strait of Hormuz.
COGNITIVE BIASES IDENTIFIED
Mediator-centered framing: the coverage prioritizes Qatar's role as a facilitator and valorizes official Qatari statements, to the detriment of a critical analysis of the concrete results achieved.
Preference for diplomatic continuity: the articles tend to highlight positive signals and the continuation of dialogue, relegating Iranian military warnings to a secondary role.
Limited coverage of Israeli stakes: the Israeli dimension of the conflict and its impact on the dynamics of the negotiations is underdeveloped in the local press.
SOURCES (2)
Al JazeeraCenter
MEDIUMSTATE MEDIA
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