US Officials Say Iran Peace Talks Will Continue Despite Latest Strikes
Key Points
- DOHA — A United States official told Al Jazeera on Friday that despite two days of military strikes exchanged between Washington and Tehran this week, the US remains committed to ongoing negotiations with Iran and that technical talks for a lasting peace deal will continue.
- The escalation marks a critical test of a memorandum of understanding signed on June 17 that established a 60-day negotiation period and ceasefire across all fronts, including Lebanon. From Tuesday night through Thursday, the US launched attacks on 85 targets in Iran following attacks on commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. Iran retaliated with strikes on US military assets in Gulf states on Wednesday, prompting the US to conduct additional attacks on 90 Iranian targets on Wednesday night and Thursday on Iran's southern coastal and eastern provinces.
- The timing of the strikes proved particularly problematic, occurring during funeral processions for former Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, who was killed in the first US-Israeli strikes on Tehran on February 28. Trump had promised US attacks would not resume during the funeral proceedings. Iranian state media reported early Friday that Khamenei was buried in his birthplace of Mashhad at the Shrine of Imam Reza, marking the conclusion of the state funeral events that had been expected to conclude around July 11.
Diplomatic Uncertainty Amid Trump's Mixed Signals
President Donald Trump created confusion about the ceasefire's status on Wednesday at the NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey, when he told reporters he thought the MoU was "over" and referred to Iranian leadership as "scum," while also stating he believed peace talks were a "waste of time." However, Trump appeared to backtrack on Thursday, telling journalists aboard Air Force One that returning to full-scale war was not the aim, though he said it remained on the table. He added that Tehran "wants to make a deal."
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Early Friday morning, Iranian media reported multiple explosions across southern Iran, including in Bushehr—home to one of the country's nuclear plants—as well as Konarak, Choghadak, and Bandar Abbas. The US denied involvement in those explosions, and by Friday morning, the immediate hostilities appeared to have paused as mediating nations attempted to restore diplomatic channels.
Neither the US nor Iran has officially declared the MoU at an end, though each has accused the other of violating it. The original agreement stipulated that Iran would allow free passage for shipping through the Strait of Hormuz for 60 days, while the US would lift sanctions on Iranian oil and remove its naval blockade of Iranian ports. Planned talks in Switzerland to address the future of the Strait of Hormuz, Iran's frozen assets, long-term sanctions relief, and Tehran's nuclear program had been delayed due to Israel's continued military operations in southern Lebanon.
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Direct talks did occur in Switzerland, but since early July, the two sides have engaged in indirect "technical" talks in Doha. These discussions were suspended for the state funeral proceedings of Supreme Leader Khamenei. The resumption of technical talks had been anticipated following the conclusion of funeral events around July 11, but this week's military escalation has clouded the timeline for any restart.
Why this matters: The success or failure of these negotiations will determine whether the region experiences sustained peace or returns to full-scale conflict. With Trump expressing skepticism about the talks while US officials affirm commitment to them, any miscommunication or breakdown could trigger rapid military escalation that destabilizes global oil markets and threatens regional stability.
What Happens Next
Mediating nations will likely attempt to reconvene technical talks in Doha within days or weeks, contingent on both sides accepting that the MoU remains in effect despite the violations. If Trump continues signaling doubt about negotiations' viability while his officials maintain commitment, mixed messaging could undermine diplomatic credibility and increase the risk of further escalation.
Sources: AP, Reuters, ESPN, Bloomberg, BBC and other international news outlets.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only. Content is based on publicly available news sources.
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