LIVEIndirect negotiations continue while shipping through the Strait of Hormuz slowly recoversLast updated: July 02, 2026 | 14:23Donald TrumpIranUS-Israel-Iran warOil tankers sit at anchor offshore in the Strait of Hormuz off Bandar Abbas, Iran.Diplomatic efforts to end the Middle East conflict are set to resume after the funeral of Iran's late Supreme Leader, with mediators saying the next round of indirect US-Iran talks will follow the mourning period. As negotiations continue, Iran has issued a fresh warning to oil tankers transiting the Strait of Hormuz, ordering vessels to use its designated routes or face a "forceful response". Meanwhile, Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will attend the funeral in Iran before travelling to Turkey. Follow our live updates: HighlightsSHOW MORE01:08 PM, 2 July 2026Pakistan says PM Sharif to attend Iran supreme leader's funeralPakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will attend the funeral of the late Iranian supreme leader Ali Khamenei this week, the South Asian nation's foreign ministry spokesman said on Thursday."The Prime Minister, Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, will go to Iran and Turkey from 3-5 July... he will go to Iran first for (the) supreme leader's funeral," spokesman Tahir Andrabi told reporters.12:52 PM, 2 July 2026Iran warns oil tankers to use approved routes in Strait of Hormuz or face a 'forceful response'Iran's joint military command warned Thursday that all oil tankers moving through the Strait of Hormuz must use its approved routes or face a "forceful response."The statement from the Khatam al-Anbiya military command was aired on Iranian state television.It wasn't immediately clear what sparked the threat from Iran."Any failure to comply, deviation from the designated route, or disregard for the navigation protocols of the Islamic Republic of Iran in the Strait of Hormuz will be met with an immediate and forceful response from the armed forces, endangering the security of the violating vessels," the statement said.It also said the continued presence of U.S. fighter jets over the strait "causes insecurity in this waterway and threatens regional security."11:39 AM, 2 July 2026Iran chief negotiator calls to avenge Khamenei death with massive funeral turnoutIran's chief negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf called on Thursday for massive turnout at Ali Khamenei's funeral to avenge the supreme leader's death in US-Israeli strikes at the start of the war."I invite all the Iranian people... to write a glorious page in the history of Islamic Iran through your presence" at the funeral ceremonies starting Saturday, Ghalibaf said in a statement, adding: "The nation's call for vengeance must ring in the ears of the whole world."10:45 AM, 2 July 2026Next indirect US-Iran talks after Khamenei funeral: mediatorsThe next indirect US-Iran talks will come after the late Iranian supreme leader's funeral, mediators said Thursday, as diplomacy inches ahead on ending the Middle East war.Following the foes' indirect discussions in Doha on Wednesday, US President Donald Trump as well as mediators Qatar and Pakistan offered signs that diplomacy was holding, despite exchanges of fire this week.An interim deal was agreed to reopen the vital Strait of Hormuz and end hostilities, but major questions still need to be tackled in talks, including Iran's nuclear programme."Qatari and Pakistani mediators concluded separate meetings with the US and Iranian negotiators in Doha (Wednesday), with positive progress made," Pakistan said Thursday.Islamabad added the sides agreed to keep talking, "with the next meeting to be set at the earliest possible time following the funeral processions of the former Iranian Supreme Leader." 08:33 AM, 2 July 2026'Positive progress' in US-Iran indirect talks in Doha: Qatar spokesmanUS and Iran negotiators made "positive progress" during indirect talks in Doha, with the next round expected after the late Iranian supreme leader's funeral, Qatar's foreign ministry spokesman said."Qatar & Pakistan mediators concluded separate meetings with the US & Iranian negotiators in Doha today, with positive progress made on issues related to the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding, building on the outcomes of the Lake Lucerne Summit," foreign ministry spokesman Majed Al Ansari said Wednesday on X."The parties agreed to continue discussions over the coming period, with the next meeting to be scheduled at the earliest possible time following the funeral processions of the former Iranian Supreme Leader."05:31 AM, 2 July 2026US, Iran agree to establish communication channel