US President Donald Trump will meet in Washington with Qatar’s Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani. The sides will discuss diplomatic efforts to end the war with Iran.
Qatar is one of the main mediators in talks between Washington and Tehran. Last week, Al Thani visited Iran, and US Vice President JD Vance will also join the talks during the meeting with Trump.
Iran is offering to end the war in exchange for lifting the American blockade of its ports, easing some sanctions and halting the bombing. In return, Tehran is prepared to end its own blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. Talks on Iran’s nuclear programme and other sanctions are proposed for a later date.
However, Washington has repeatedly rejected this proposal. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio called Iran’s terms “outrageous, absurd and unrealistic”. The spokesperson for Iran’s Foreign Ministry, Esmail Baghaei, by contrast, described Tehran’s proposal as the most reasonable option currently on the negotiating table.
Meanwhile, the fighting continues. According to Iranian state media, overnight into Monday the United States carried out strikes on Qeshm Island. A local official said critical infrastructure and essential services facilities were not damaged.
An Iranian Reuters source claims that the targets were radar systems, air-defence facilities, and bases for missile and mine-laying installations.
Iran is also continuing to attack tankers in the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz. According to Iranian state television, 11 tankers have been put out of action over the past ten days.
Against the backdrop of the conflict, pressure on the US authorities is growing. Republican Party figures, including JD Vance, have linked the party’s losses in the midterm elections to the war against Iran. At the same time, Marco Rubio said he does not expect a swift diplomatic breakthrough.
UAE official Anwar Gargash also voiced doubts about quickly reaching a comprehensive political agreement between the United States and Iran. He said the region should brace for a prolonged period of uncertainty.
Context
Mediators have stepped up efforts to end the war between Iran and the United States. At the same time, there are fears that hostilities could resume after the midterm elections in the United States, which took place on 3 November.
President Donald Trump did not rule out a renewed military operation after the vote, and Iran threatened a larger-scale response if the war resumes.
On the eve of this, US forces struck Iran’s Qeshm Island in the Persian Gulf. Several powerful explosions were heard there beforehand. In Washington, the attack was explained as a defensive necessity: according to US officials, Iran had been using the island to strike US military facilities and equipment.