Qatar Tries to Pull Washington and Tehran Back From the Brink Amid Electoral Sabotage in the U.S.
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Qatari mediators spent more than a dozen hours pushing Iran and the United States toward basic confidence-building steps, while U.S. officials weighed how domestic election politics and Trump’s brinkmanship could shape policy.
Qatari envoys held a grueling 12-hour session with Iranian officials in Tehran on Friday, trying to revive direct negotiations between the United States and Iran and to prevent another round of reckless military escalation. The mediators are pressing both sides to take limited short-term steps, such as allowing United Nations inspectors access to nuclear facilities damaged in recent strikes, which could open the door to some easing of sanctions.
A U.S. official said progress has stalled because both governments are still clinging to rigid pre-conditions: Washington insists on nuclear concessions before any further talks, while Tehran is demanding the lifting of the naval blockade in the Strait of Hormuz, the release of frozen assets and broader sanction relief before it will address its nuclear program.
"Talks are still ongoing in an effort to unlock a deal between the US and Iran," a diplomatic source told Axios, adding that Qatari mediators stayed in contact with the White House throughout Friday’s discussions and that "there was positive progress."
The parties are expected to meet again in Doha on Saturday. The talks come as Washington weighs the possibility of renewed strikes against Iran ahead of the November 3 midterm elections, a politically charged period during which several regional countries, including Egypt, Turkey, Iraq, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, have urged Iran to remain at the negotiating table.
"If he feels embarrassed or disenfranchised, he will do something bold. That's what everyone is telling the Iranians. Their best shot to get a deal is right now," a U.S. official said, referring to President Donald Trump.