Former U.S.-Iran negotiator Alan Eyre has said that the United States should move faster in its discussions with Tehran following the funeral of Iran’s former Supreme Leader Khamenei. He told Al Jazeera that maintaining momentum in the dialogue is essential and that the current pace has been too slow.

Eyre, a diplomatic fellow at the Washington-based Middle East Institute, stated that both sides now need to engage in longer and more frequent talks. He noted that while the funeral required a temporary pause, the U.S. should significantly increase the pace of negotiations once the ceremonies conclude. He also pointed out that the two sides have yet to progress beyond the initial stages on key issues such as managing and keeping the Strait of Hormuz open.

Eyre further mentioned that resolving the Lebanon issue remains necessary, while the nuclear question continues to underlie the broader regional tensions.