DOHA, Qatar (AFP) — The next indirect United States-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 program.

“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.”

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed aged 86 at his compound in the center of the Iranian capital on 28 February, the first day of the war. Power was swiftly passed to his son Mojtaba.

Ali Khamenei’s public funeral will begin on Saturday, with his body lying in state at the colossal complex in central Tehran that hosts major Friday prayers, official ceremonies and religious gatherings.

His burial will take place on 9 July at the shrine of Imam Reza in the northeastern city of Mashhad, his birthplace.