Dubai, UAE — U.S. President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that negotiations with Iran were progressing well and that efforts to secure Tehran’s denuclearisation were advancing after technical meetings in Qatar, even as Iranian officials warned of an immediate response to any new threats and security concerns persisted around the Strait of Hormuz.
“We’re getting along very well with Iran,” Trump told reporters before departing on a trip. “The denuclearisation of Iran is moving along well. They’ve had very good meetings, and we’ll see.”
Trump’s comments followed technical discussions in Doha aimed at implementing the June memorandum of understanding between Washington and Tehran, which seeks to end months of conflict and establish arrangements covering Iran’s nuclear programme, shipping through the Strait of Hormuz and a lasting ceasefire.
Doha talks focus on implementation
Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi said discussions in Doha centred on implementing the memorandum, including meetings with Qatar’s prime minister and trilateral talks involving Pakistan.
The Iranian delegation included officials from the foreign ministry, central bank and agriculture ministry, reflecting the broad scope of implementation issues under discussion, including sanctions relief and economic measures.
Qatar has continued to mediate between Washington and Tehran, while both sides have acknowledged technical discussions despite disagreeing publicly over whether they constitute direct negotiations.
Iran warns against new threats
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi warned Tehran would respond immediately to any threat against its leadership or people, following remarks by Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz suggesting Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei had been “marked for death.”
In a post on X, Araqchi said U.S. President Trump had committed Washington to restraining Israel, adding that Iran would respond forcefully if attacked.
Israel has meanwhile said its forces will remain indefinitely in security zones in Lebanon, Syria and Gaza.
Hormuz remains high-risk
Despite the ceasefire, shipping employers and labour unions extended the designation of the Strait of Hormuz as a warlike operations area until at least July 9.
The move preserves double pay and the right of seafarers to refuse voyages through the waterway under International Bargaining Forum agreements, citing continuing risks to crews.
Separately, the European Union Aviation Safety Agency extended its advisory urging airlines to avoid the airspace over Iran, Iraq and Lebanon until at least July 8 because of the risk of renewed escalation.
Iranian state media also reported that a foreign container ship ran aground after sailing outside the shipping corridor designated by Tehran near Larak Island, reiterating warnings that vessels should use only the approved route through the strategic waterway.
India stresses navigation, South Korean ship prepares departure
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi told Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian he welcomed progress in negotiations and underscored the importance of freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical route for India’s energy imports.
Separately, South Korea’s Oceans Ministry said the cargo vessel Namu, damaged in an attack in May, is expected to leave the Strait of Hormuz later this month after repairs are completed in Dubai, ending months stranded in Gulf waters.
