Qatar’s mediation efforts to break the deadlock in talks between the United States and Iran have stalled, with both sides holding firmly to their positions and showing little willingness to compromise, as assessments grow that military operations could resume, Axios reported, citing three sources familiar with the talks.
The website said the stalemate is reinforcing the belief on both sides that a renewed military conflict has become more likely. US officials believe President Donald Trump could order a return to large-scale military operations after the midterm elections.
Axios cited two sources as saying Qatari officials will continue their mediation efforts between Washington and Tehran but are becoming increasingly frustrated with the positions of both sides.
Qatari mediator Ali Al-Thawadi met with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and his team in New York on Monday for several hours. The two sides discussed a two-page Qatari settlement proposal.
According to two sources familiar with the matter, the Qatari proposal seeks to address Iran’s demand for the lifting of the US naval blockade, while also addressing Washington’s demand that Tehran make concessions regarding its nuclear program.
Later on Monday, Al-Thawadi held talks in Washington with Trump envoy Jared Kushner and other US officials, while Vice President JD Vance joined part of the meeting briefly.
The White House had hoped to make progress in the talks on Monday morning, with US officials telling several media outlets that the discussions were “positive and constructive” and that Iran had shown flexibility on nuclear issues.
The officials said Trump was prepared to ease sanctions on Iran and release frozen funds in exchange for Tehran taking concrete steps to scale back its nuclear program.
But hours later, while Qatari officials were still at the White House, Trump said on Truth Social that he had offered Iran nothing.
Axios quoted one source as saying there had been no tangible progress in Monday’s talks and that they remained “stuck.” The source said the Iranians were demanding things the United States could not accept, while Washington believes it has the upper hand and sees no need to make concessions.
Axios noted that other regional mediators, including Pakistan and Egypt, had urged Iran to agree to concessions regarding its nuclear program. Tehran, however, said it would consider such concessions only after the United States agrees to return to the memorandum of understanding reached in June, according to a source familiar with the matter.
Iranian Supreme National Security Council Secretary Mohsen Rezaei said on Tuesday that Iran had conveyed its conditions to the United States. According to Iranian media, he said, “Trump is unable to make a decision.”
Rezaei added that “Trump is stuck in a quagmire in which he can neither negotiate nor fight.”
Trump, meanwhile, told reporters on Tuesday that the Iranians were “doing very badly,” adding: “I don’t know if they’re ready to surrender yet. They will surrender. The goal is to prevent them from having a nuclear weapon. Iran will not have a nuclear weapon.”
Source: Axios
