US-Iran Doha Talks Pause After Khamenei Death; Asset Deal Claimed, Not Confirmed

The latest round of indirect US-Iran negotiations in Doha concluded without a lasting peace framework, with Qatar's Foreign Ministry announcing the next round will take place after the funeral of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf claimed in a television interview — which was abruptly cut off mid-broadcast by Iranian state media — that he finalized a license for releasing $6 billion in frozen Iranian assets during a Switzerland meeting attended by JD Vance and a US Treasury deputy. Iranian President Pezeshkian told domestic critics that if Khamenei's son Mojtabi had opposed negotiations, the talks would never have proceeded. Swahili-language BBC reporting described this round as focused on issues 'already addressed under the interim agreement announced two weeks ago,' suggesting incremental rather than structural progress. Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Aragchi separately warned of 'strong action' against any party that violates the agreement.