President Donald Trump is due to meet Qatar Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani on Monday as Washington rejects Iran’s terms for ending the war, Reuters reported.
Reuters cited figures from international maritime agencies showing that tanker attacks in the Gulf and Strait of Hormuz rose sharply in October. The rate remained the highest since the war began.
Tehran’s proposed truce would require the United States to stop bombing Iran, end its blockade of Iranian ports and ease some sanctions. Iran would halt its blockade of the Strait, leaving nuclear negotiations and other sanctions for later talks. Washington has repeatedly rejected the proposal.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio called Iran’s conditions “outrageous and ridiculous” on Sunday and said he did not expect a diplomatic breakthrough soon. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei defended Tehran’s proposal Monday as the most reasonable offer available.
Anwar Gargash, a senior United Arab Emirates official, also expressed doubt that the two sides could reach a comprehensive political settlement. He said the region should prepare for a prolonged period of uncertainty.
Qatar has carried messages between Washington and Tehran and proposed ways to narrow their differences. Al-Thani visited Tehran before the Washington meetings, Reuters reported.
The two governments were reviewing mediator proposals, Qatar’s Foreign Ministry said Nov. 3. Its spokesperson, Dr. Majed bin Mohammed Al Ansari, said he had no specific breakthrough to announce.
Vice President J.D. Vance, who headed talks that produced a brief June truce, is also due to meet Al-Thani in Washington on Monday.
