Doha Set to Host Key US-Iran Meetings Before Final Deal Is Signed

ISLAMABAD/DUBAI — The United States and Iran will hold indirect preparatory meetings in Doha this week ahead of the formal signing of a deal aimed at ending the Middle East war, a diplomat told AFP on Monday.

“Separate preparatory meetings with each side will now take place in Doha this week, ahead of the official signing in Switzerland and the start of the technical talks,” the source said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

Qatari mediators departed Tehran after “17 hours of intensive negotiations” that began Sunday and culminated in an agreement, the diplomat added. Pakistan, a key mediator, said the signing will take place on Friday in Switzerland.

US President Donald Trump confirmed the deal and announced he had authorized an end to the US naval blockade of Iranian ports in the Strait of Hormuz. “I hereby fully authorize the toll free opening of the Strait of Hormuz, and, simultaneously herewith, authorize the immediate removal of the United States Naval blockade,” he wrote on social media.

Iran’s deputy foreign minister, Kazem Gharibabadi, confirmed the agreement on state television but said Iran would not begin implementing it until after the signing on Friday.

Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said both sides had declared “the immediate and permanent termination of military operations on all fronts, including in Lebanon.” He thanked Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Turkiye, Egypt, and the UN for helping achieve the milestone.

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