Qatari mediators are trying to secure the resumption of direct talks between the United States and Iran in order to prevent a new military escalation after the midterm elections in the United States.
As Axios writes, on 30 October they held talks in Tehran that lasted more than 12 hours.
Discussions are due to continue today, 31 October, in Doha, the capital of Qatar. According to the outlet’s diplomatic sources, the mediators’ goal is to reach understandings that would allow Washington and Tehran to resume direct dialogue and prevent the launch of a new military operation.
During the talks, Qatari representatives remained in constant contact with the White House. One diplomatic source reported positive progress, though work on an agreement is continuing.
Qatar is proposing that Washington and Tehran agree a series of reciprocal steps that could be implemented within a few days. This is intended to create the conditions for a return to direct negotiations on Iran’s nuclear programme and other issues.
At the same time, the sides still cannot agree on the sequence of concessions. The administration of US President Donald Trump insists that Iran make nuclear concessions as a precondition for resuming talks.
Tehran, for its part, is demanding that Washington first lift the naval blockade, unfreeze blocked funds and allow the country to sell oil.
One compromise option being advanced by Qatari mediators would allow UN inspectors access to Iran’s damaged nuclear facilities. Such a step would serve as a confidence-building measure, and the United States could respond with some easing of sanctions.
According to Axios, the US president’s closest advisers hold differing views on the next steps on Iran.
Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth and Secretary of State Marco Rubio are sceptical about the prospects of reaching a nuclear deal with the current Iranian regime. In their view, Trump’s legacy should be the further weakening of Tehran, including through new strikes, a US official said.
At the same time, Vice President J.D. Vance and the president’s envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are interested in restarting talks.
Trump himself doubts that Iran will agree to a deal he would consider acceptable.
"Talks are under way. They want to negotiate. They keep negotiating... Frankly, we have time. This is a war, but not a typical war," the US president told reporters on Friday.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who is leading the economic pressure campaign, is also urging that the initiative be given time rather than rushing back into hostilities.
Countries in the region, including Egypt, Turkey, Iraq, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, are urging Iran to agree to resume talks before the US midterm elections, an Axios source said.
One US official suggested that Trump may be more inclined to order a large-scale military operation if Republicans suffer a significant defeat in the elections. According to the official, the president may want to demonstrate strength if he feels he is losing political influence.
"If he feels humiliated or stripped of influence, he will do something bold. That’s exactly what everyone is telling the Iranians. Their best chance of striking a deal is right now," the official said.
At the same time, a White House representative said the election results would not affect Trump’s decision on Iran.