The key facts

  • Mediators led by Qatar are working to resume US–Iran talks, Axios reports citing American, Israeli and regional sources
  • The proposed scheme: UN inspectors' access to the bombed nuclear sites in exchange for a partial lifting of US sanctions
  • Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Turkey back the initiative; Trump confirmed talks through intermediaries

Qatar and partners seek a path to a deal

Regional mediators led by Qatar are working to resume talks between the United States and Iran in order to prevent a renewed war, the outlet Axios reported; this is also reported by Anadolu. The scheme proposed by the mediators calls for allowing UN inspectors access to the bombed nuclear sites in exchange for a partial easing of American sanctions. According to Axios, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Turkey are supporting the initiative.

The White House position

US President Donald Trump, in a comment to Axios, confirmed that talks with Iran are taking place through intermediaries, but said he does not know whether they will succeed. “We need to finish the job — either through a deal or another way — we will find out whether the talks can succeed,” Axios quoted him as saying. The report of the mediation efforts came as Trump has spent several weeks threatening to launch massive strikes on Iran.

What is known and what remains unclear

Axios's report relies on American, Israeli and regional sources; the publication provides no official confirmation from Tehran or from the parties involved in the mediation. Neither the scope of the proposed sanctions relief, nor the timing of a possible resumption of talks, nor Iran's reaction to the proposed formula with UN inspectors is specified. Thus, what is being discussed are reports of mediation efforts, not agreements that have been reached.