Qatar PM to meet Trump: What’s the latest on US-Iran negotiations?
United States President Donald Trump is set to hold talks with Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani at the White House on Monday, amid ongoing diplomatic efforts to bridge differences over Iran's nuclear programme and conflict terms.
The meeting comes as Iran has stepped up diplomatic efforts amid suggestions by Trump that the US could resume full-scale strikes on the country. An unnamed US official told Reuters that Vice President JD Vance is also scheduled to hold talks with Sheikh Mohammed, who serves as foreign minister and has acted as an intermediary between Washington and Tehran.
Iran's latest position
Iran offered the US a new nuclear and peace proposal via Qatari mediators on Thursday, to be discussed only after Washington meets Tehran's seven demands. The US is currently examining this proposal. Iran has been unwilling to negotiate its atomic activities with the Trump administration until the latter agrees to several core conditions that Tehran has demanded be part of any ceasefire agreement.
Tehran maintains its nuclear programme is peaceful. According to the International Atomic Energy Agency, Iran has 440.9kg (972 pounds) of uranium enriched up to 60 percent purity, a short technical step from weapons-grade levels of 90 percent. This enrichment boost came after Trump withdrew from the nuclear deal in 2018, which had capped enrichment at below 3.67 percent.
On day one, the US implements a set of measures. On day two, the Strait of Hormuz will reopen, and navigation will be restored to what it used to be.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi warned last month that Tehran will rain down hell if the US resumes attacks. Tehran's demands include lifting sanctions, reducing US military presence in the region, reinstating oil waivers, releasing frozen Iranian funds, recognizing Iran's new shipping route in the Strait of Hormuz, and ending the war on all fronts including Israel's attacks on Lebanon.
US stance and warnings
Trump on Sunday warned that Washington had identified additional targets in Iran should military action resume, but said it was highly unlikely to launch new strikes if negotiations yielded a strong agreement. Sheikh Mohammed confirmed that mediation efforts continue and that the US has intentions to take steps towards finding a solution.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, however, claimed negotiations with Iran had not made progress. He described Iranian demands as not just unacceptable, but in some cases, outrageous and ridiculous and really not realistic. I wouldn't say we're at the verge of a breakthrough, he added.
US media reported that Trump was being pressed by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Central Command (CENTCOM) commander Brad Cooper to resume attacks against Iran. Axios quoted a US official saying CENTCOM was preparing for the resumption of major military operations in Iran, awaiting orders from Washington.
Military preparations and threats
On Thursday, Trump told reporters the US may have to destroy the rest of Iran, adding people will know soon enough if he acts. He warned that US forces have three aircraft carriers stationed in the region fully locked and loaded, ready to continue strikes if needed. The US identified infrastructure targets, including 38 bridges, that it would strike if military action resumes.
The US military has carried out limited strikes on Iran at least twice over the past week, including against its air defences. It also fired on a commercial ship on Saturday, disabling it after the vessel allegedly tried to breach the US naval blockade on Iranian ports. Rubio stated Washington would take defensive actions if needed, claiming we have a right to defend ourselves. Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) warned that weapons have been secured for years to come and that Iran's response would be devastating and severe if the US makes a mistake.
Related
