Qatar's PM discussed with Trump and Vance the advancement of US-Iran negotiations

Meetings in Washington

The Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Qatar Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani said on Monday that he had met in Washington with US President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance. According to him, the situation in the region and ways to advance negotiations between the United States and Iran were discussed; he described the outcome as 'positive discussions' toward reaching a deal and peace in the region. Trump also spoke positively of the conversation, calling it 'excellent' and noting a 'positive momentum' toward ending the conflict.

Context and Tehran's position

Earlier the same day, the Qatari television channel Al Jazeera, citing a source familiar with the course of the discussions, reported that Al Thani's separate meetings with Trump and Vance had brought 'good progress' on the Iranian issue; the channel's diplomatic source spoke of an effort to bring the positions of Washington and Tehran closer together. However, an Iranian official, who was not named, denied reports of alleged ongoing negotiations over opening the Strait of Hormuz in exchange for the unfreezing of $8 billion in Iranian assets. According to him, Tehran is ready to negotiate only within the framework of seven conditions conveyed to Washington, including the lifting of the naval blockade and unilateral sanctions, the release of frozen assets, and an end to the war.

Background of the conflict

According to Anadolu, the United States and Israel began attacks on Iran on February 28; a ceasefire was reached in April, but in July, after diplomatic efforts stalled, hostilities between the United States and Iran resumed. The publication does not report on the content of further steps following the meetings in Washington.