Qatar Mediates 12-Hour Talks Between Iran and US in Doha
Translated & summarized from i24NEWS Arabic by baba
Qatari mediators engaged in over 12 hours of talks with an Iranian delegation in Doha, aiming to resume direct negotiations between Iran and the U.S. The discussions, which also involved continuous communication with American negotiators, focused on practical steps to de-escalate tensions and address issues like Iran's nuclear program. Progress has been hindered by conflicting demands, but mediators reported positive developments and ongoing efforts to reach an agreement.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Qatar mediated over 12 hours of talks between Iran and the U.S. in Doha to resume direct negotiations.
- Qatari mediators maintained constant contact with both Iranian and U.S. negotiating teams.
- The talks aim to secure practical steps and bring both sides back to the table on issues including Iran's nuclear program.
- Conflicting demands, particularly regarding the nuclear file and sanctions, have stalled progress.
- Despite obstacles, mediators reported positive progress and ongoing efforts to reach an agreement.
Mediators from Qatar held over 12 hours of discussions with an Iranian delegation in Doha, following similar talks in Tehran, as part of ongoing efforts to de-escalate tensions between Iran and the United States. A source familiar with the negotiations told Reuters that the Qatari team maintained constant communication with American negotiators throughout the marathon session.
Discussions were set to resume in Doha on Saturday, with mediators aiming to broker an agreement on practical steps that could be implemented in the coming days. The goal is to bring both Washington and Tehran back to direct negotiations on a range of issues, including Iran's nuclear program.
According to Axios, Qatari efforts include persuading Iran to allow UN inspectors access to nuclear facilities, some of which have reportedly been damaged by U.S. and Israeli strikes. Such inspections could serve as a confidence-building measure, potentially leading to U.S. sanctions relief for Tehran.
An American official told Axios that conflicting demands have stalled progress. The U.S. insists on concessions regarding the nuclear file before further talks, while Iran is demanding the lifting of a U.S. naval blockade on its Strait of Hormuz ports, the release of frozen assets, and sanctions relief before discussing its nuclear program.
Despite these obstacles, a diplomatic source told Axios that Qatari mediators were in contact with the White House during Friday's talks, reporting "positive progress" and stating that "discussions are still ongoing in an attempt to reach an agreement between the United States and Iran."
