Efforts by Qatar to broker a diplomatic breakthrough between the US and Iran have made little progress, with neither side willing to compromise, according
to a report by Axios. The stalemate has increased concerns that the conflict could return to the battlefield, with US officials believing President Donald Trump could order a resumption of major military operations after the midterm elections. Qatari mediators are expected to continue their efforts, although two sources said they were becoming increasingly frustrated with both sides. Qatari mediator Ali al-Thawadi met Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and his team in New York on Monday for several hours. The talks included a two-page Qatari compromise proposal, according to a source quoted in the report. The proposal sought to address two key demands: Iran's call for the US naval blockade to be lifted and Washington's demand for concessions on Iran's nuclear programme. Later on Monday, al-Thawadi held talks in Washington with Trump envoy Jared Kushner and other US officials. Vice-President JD Vance attended part of the meeting. Little Movement in Talks The talks began with some optimism from Washington. US officials briefed several media outlets on Monday that the discussions were "positive and constructive" and that Iran had "indicated they are flexible on the nuclear issues". They also said Trump was prepared to offer Iran sanctions relief and release frozen funds in return for concrete steps to scale back its nuclear programme. But several hours later, while Qatari officials were still at the White House, Trump posted on Truth Social that he had offered Iran nothing. One source said there had been no significant movement during Monday's discussions. "It is stuck. The Iranians are asking for things the US can't accept and the US thinks it is winning so there is no need for compromise," the source said. Other regional mediators, including Pakistan and Egypt, have also urged Iran to accept nuclear concessions. But Iran said it would only consider such concessions if the US agreed to return to the June memorandum of understanding, according to another source familiar with the discussions. Iran Says Trump Cannot Decide Iran's Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council, Mohsen Rezaei, said on Tuesday that Tehran had conveyed its terms to Washington. He accused Trump of being unable to decide whether to negotiate or fight. "Trump is incapable of making a decision," Rezaei said, according to Iranian media. "Trump is trapped in a quagmire in which he can neither negotiate nor fight," he added. Trump, however, said Iran would eventually agree to his demands. "They are doing very poorly. I don't know if they are ready to give up yet. They will give up. This is to stop a nuclear weapon. Iran will not have a nuclear weapon," he told reporters on Tuesday.
