Qatar’s mediation continued after Reuters reported Iranian-Qatari talks in Doha, while Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said there was no need for a U.S. meeting at this stage.
Reuters reported that Iranian negotiators met Qatari mediators in Doha on Oct. 31, citing a source briefed on the discussions. The meeting followed more than 12 hours of talks between Iranian and Qatari envoys in Tehran on Oct. 30.
Araghchi confirmed the delegation’s trip to Doha and said one of his aides was there for consultations. “We see no need to meet with the Americans at this stage,” he told Al Jazeera.
He said Iran’s conditions were clear and that Qatari mediators were consulting on them. Araghchi said any direct or indirect negotiations with Washington would depend on Iran’s conditions. His remarks echoed an earlier statement that Tehran had no current plan to meet U.S. officials.
Qatar’s Foreign Ministry said Oct. 27 that its delegation’s visit to Tehran was part of continuing consultations and mediation. The ministry said messages and proposals were still passing between Washington and Tehran through Qatar.
In June, the ministry said Iran and the United States had reached a memorandum of understanding on outstanding issues, including freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.
Axios reported, citing a U.S. official, that Washington wanted nuclear concessions from Iran before resuming talks. The outlet reported that Tehran wanted the U.S. naval blockade lifted, frozen funds released and permission to sell oil.
Axios said the mediation effort aimed to restart direct negotiations and avoid renewed fighting after the U.S. midterm elections. It reported that renewed conflict could worsen the global energy crisis.
