Qatari mediators held intensive talks in Tehran lasting more than 12 hours as part of an urgent diplomatic push to restart direct negotiations between the United States and Iran and avert a wider military conflict. The discussions, which involved regular communication with the White House, are set to continue in Doha.
The diplomatic push comes as the U.S. approaches a potential military operation that could inflict severe damage on Iran, likely triggering retaliatory strikes against Israel and multiple Gulf states. According to a diplomatic source, Friday’s marathon session yielded some progress. “There was positive progress. Talks are still ongoing in an effort to unlock a deal between the U.S. and Iran,” the source said.
Mediators are pressing both capitals to agree on a sequence of reciprocal steps over several days to restore direct talks concerning the Iranian nuclear program and other regional disputes. However, negotiators face entrenched demands. A U.S. official noted that talks have stalled over competing preconditions: the Trump administration insists Iran make nuclear concessions before talks resume, while Iran demands the U.S. lift its naval blockade, release frozen funds, and permit oil sales.
As a confidence-building measure, Qatar is urging Tehran to permit United Nations inspectors to visit its bombed nuclear sites in exchange for targeted sanctions relief from Washington.
Inside the administration, divisions persist regarding the path forward. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Secretary of State Marco Rubio harbor deep skepticism over the possibility of a viable nuclear agreement with the current Iranian leadership, arguing instead that President Trump’s legacy should involve further weakening the regime through military pressure. Conversely, Vice President Vance and presidential envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner support resuming negotiations. President Trump himself remains doubtful that Tehran will ultimately accept a deal on terms he deems acceptable.
“There are talks. They want to talk. They keep talking. … We have time, frankly. It’s a war, but it is not a typical war,” Trump told reporters on Friday.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who oversees the “Operation Economic Outcast” financial pressure campaign, is reportedly among the close aides counseling the president to allow the economic initiative more time rather than escalating hostilities prematurely. Meanwhile, regional powers including Egypt, Turkey, Iraq, Pakistan, and Saudi Arabia have pressed Tehran to secure a negotiated settlement ahead of the midterms.
A U.S. official suggested that the electoral outcome could influence the president’s calculus, noting that significant Republican losses might prompt a dramatic military response. “If he feels embarrassed or disenfranchised he will do something bold. That’s what everyone are telling the Iranians. Their best shot to get a deal is right now,” the official said. A White House official disputed that assessment, maintaining that election results will not factor into decisions regarding Iran.
Diplomatic pressure is also mounting from foreign leaders. The heads of state of Saudi Arabia and Turkey recently urged Trump to grant diplomacy more time. In contrast, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is actively lobbying for a joint U.S.-Israeli military operation immediately following the election.
A renewed military campaign risks catastrophic devastation across Iran and neighboring Gulf nations, while threatening to severely worsen the global energy crisis. Tehran has vowed that any U.S. strikes on its energy infrastructure would draw retaliatory missile attacks against oil and gas facilities in Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, and Bahrain. Furthermore, any U.S. military action would be executed jointly with Israel, and allied regional militias such as Hezbollah could launch secondary assaults against Israeli territory.
