Iran-US Peace Talks Continue as Top Iranian Officials Meet Qatar Prime Minister

Iran’s senior negotiator and Foreign Minister held talks in Doha with Qatar’s Prime Minister as diplomatic efforts continued to shape a possible agreement with the United States to end the nearly three-month conflict. However, both sides signaled that a final breakthrough is not expected soon.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Washington would continue giving diplomacy every chance before considering “another way” if talks fail. Rubio said there was a “pretty solid thing on the table,” including discussions about reopening the Strait of Hormuz and launching time-limited nuclear negotiations.

President Donald Trump also commented on the negotiations, saying talks with Iran were going “nicely,” while warning that fresh attacks could follow if no agreement is reached.

Strait of Hormuz and Nuclear Issues Remain Key Sticking Points

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said a framework covering 14 points is being discussed, mainly focused on ending the war and lifting the US naval blockade around the Strait of Hormuz.

According to officials familiar with the talks, Iran’s delegation, which also includes the central bank governor, is discussing the release of frozen Iranian funds. The talks also include Iran’s enriched uranium stockpile and safe shipping through the strait, which normally handles nearly 20% of global oil and gas shipments.

Baghaei stressed that progress on some issues does not mean a final agreement is close, while nuclear discussions are expected to continue over a separate 60-day period if an initial framework is approved.