Tehran: Qatari mediators have returned to Tehran to renew efforts to secure an agreement between the United States and Iran, as the two countries remain divided over the conditions required to end their conflict. The latest diplomatic initiative comes amid growing regional concerns about renewed fighting and its possible impact on international trade and energy supplies.
An official familiar with the negotiations said Qatar was coordinating its latest mediation efforts with Washington. The return of the mediators follows several attempts by regional governments to bring the two sides closer to an agreement after earlier diplomatic initiatives failed to resolve their differences.
Qatar presented a draft peace proposal to Iran on October 25. The proposed framework reportedly included a seven day process with daily measures aimed at building confidence between the two sides. However, a senior Iranian official described the proposals as unacceptable, indicating that Tehran was not prepared to change its position on key nuclear issues.
The main disagreement between Washington and Tehran concerns the order in which negotiations should address their demands. The United States wants Iran's nuclear programme to be discussed from the beginning of any negotiations. Washington considers the issue essential to reaching a lasting agreement.
Iran, however, wants the United States to address economic and maritime restrictions before moving forward with wider discussions. Tehran has called for an end to the US blockade affecting Iranian ports and the lifting of US sanctions affecting its oil exports. Iranian officials have also resisted attempts to make changes to the country's nuclear position a condition for restarting negotiations.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has indicated that Tehran remains willing to give diplomacy an opportunity. On October 28, he referred to Iran's separate seven day proposal, which was communicated through Qatari intermediaries in September. The proposal reportedly included reopening the Strait of Hormuz and resuming negotiations with Washington within seven days.
Araghchi said Iran was discussing ideas that could allow the proposal to be implemented in less than a week. However, this initiative should not be confused with the separate draft peace framework presented by Qatar on October 25.
Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Ghalibaf also indicated that progress depended on the acceptance of Iran's seven conditions. His statement highlighted Tehran's continued insistence that its demands must be addressed before a broader agreement can be reached.
The diplomatic efforts have also involved communication between senior officials from the two countries. During the Qatari mediators' earlier visit to Tehran on October 25, a letter from US Vice President JD Vance was reportedly delivered to Iranian security official Mohsen Rezaei, secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council. The letter was reported to have proposed renewed negotiations between Washington and Tehran.
US President Donald Trump acknowledged that Vance had made contact but offered a different explanation for the communication. Trump said the letter concerned helping Iran obtain medical supplies and denied that he had instructed the vice president to restart formal peace negotiations. Iran's response to the communication has not been clearly established.
Meanwhile, other regional governments are increasing their diplomatic engagement to prevent the conflict from spreading. On October 26, senior representatives from Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Turkey visited Tehran for discussions with Iranian officials. Their talks focused on regional security, cooperation and efforts to prevent further escalation.
The involvement of these countries highlights growing concern across the Middle East about the consequences of continued confrontation between Washington and Tehran. Pakistan has also played a role in earlier mediation efforts, while Qatar has maintained communication channels between the two governments.
The Strait of Hormuz remains one of the most important issues in the wider crisis. The narrow waterway connects the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and serves as a major route for international oil and gas shipments. Any disruption to shipping through the strait could affect energy supplies, international trade and global markets.
Recent concerns about maritime security have added to the pressure for a diplomatic solution. An attack involving a tanker in the Strait of Hormuz was reported on October 30, although responsibility for the incident had not been established. The development has further highlighted the risks facing commercial shipping in the region.
Qatar's renewed mediation comes as regional governments continue efforts to prevent another escalation. Although diplomatic channels remain active, disagreements over nuclear policy, economic restrictions and maritime access continue to complicate attempts to reach an agreement.
The return of Qatari mediators to Tehran indicates that diplomatic efforts are continuing despite the rejection of the earlier proposal. However, neither Washington nor Tehran has announced an accepted agreement or confirmed a timetable for formal negotiations.
The main challenge remains finding a compromise that addresses the security concerns of the United States while meeting Iran's demands for relief from economic and maritime restrictions. Whether Qatar's latest initiative can bridge these differences remains uncertain.