Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud expressed satisfaction over the positive trajectory of the United States-Iran peace negotiations in Qatar and hoped the talks would continue in the near future, the Foreign Office (FO) said on Thursday.

Earlier today, Pakistan and Qatar concluded “separate meetings” with US and Iranian negotiators in Doha, wherein “positive” progress was made on the components of the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). The parties agreed to continue the talks, with the next round to be scheduled at the earliest possible opportunity after the funeral ceremonies of the former Iranian supreme leader, according to the FO.

The FO subsequently said that FM Dar held a telephonic conversation with his Saudi counterpart during which the two held an in-depth discussion on the recent regional developments.

“The two leaders discussed the regional situation, especially the recent round of mediations in Doha,” it said.

Both leaders expressed satisfaction over the “positive progress” made in the negotiations and hoped the talks would continue in the near future.

During the conversation, Prince Faisal appreciated Pakistan’s efforts and steadfast commitment to the implementation of the Islamabad MoU and its continued role in advancing dialogue and promoting lasting peace in the region.

The meetings come as US Vice President JD Vance said discussions between the US and Iran were going well as they held indirect technical talks in Qatar about the Strait of Hormuz on Wednesday, adding Washington would not return to full combat unless necessary.

Read: Progress made after facilitating US-Iran talks in Doha: FO

The talks were based on a 14-point interim accord signed last month that was meant to halt the war that began with US-Israeli strikes on Iran in February and reopen the strait, while setting up 60 days of negotiations for a permanent peace deal.

However, the US and Iran have sparred publicly over the meaning of the interim pact, leading to tit-for-tat military strikes over the past week and leaving little sign of progress on more complex issues, including Iran’s nuclear programme.

In Doha, the technical talks were focused on commercial shipping in the strait and Tehran’s nuclear capabilities, Vance had said, adding: “It’s still pretty early, but talks are going well.”

Iran is determined to win international recognition of its control over the key oil-shipping waterway and its ability to levy fees on ships entering or leaving the Gulf, even if it has to do so by force, according to two senior Iranian sources.

Traffic has partially resumed through the strait, which handled one-fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas trade before the war.

US President Donald Trump, who has said removing Iran’s highly enriched uranium is a top priority, told reporters on Wednesday that “the denuclearisation of Iran is moving along well”, without giving details.