Qatar mediates Iran diplomacy as US rules out talks

Qatar's Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani visited Tehran on Thursday to encourage a return to diplomacy, as the United States maintains its stance of not engaging in talks with Iran. The visit comes six months into the war, with major combat operations paused but little progress made toward a peace agreement or reopening the vital Strait of Hormuz shipping route.

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We don't want to speak to them. We're not looking to meet or anything.

U.S. President Donald Trump told reporters that Washington is not seeking to meet or speak with Iran. He reiterated that the U.S. economic campaign against Tehran would continue until Iran agrees to negotiate meaningfully. Trump faces political pressure at home regarding rising energy prices ahead of the November congressional elections, leading him to focus on economic sanctions. However, aggressive enforcement would necessitate measures against Iran's trade partners like China and India.

During talks with Iran's top negotiator Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, Qatar's prime minister stressed the importance of diplomacy. Iran, through its Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi, called on regional neighbors to prevent the U.S. from using their territory for military or economic attacks. Mohsen Rezaei, secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, warned that Tehran would target U.S. military and economic interests if Washington engaged in "mischief" against Iran.

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Iran in turn called on regional neighbours to prevent the US from using their territory to carry out military or economic attacks on Iran.

Rezaei further stated that the U.S. must meet Iran's conditions, including an end to the blockade on Iranian ports, compensation, and the removal of sanctions, before Tehran would consider reopening the Strait of Hormuz. He expressed distrust in the United States, citing repeated betrayals of diplomacy and negotiations. A previous memorandum of understanding between Washington and Tehran in June had collapsed, partly over the future of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway for global energy supplies.

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We do not trust the United States; it has repeatedly betrayed diplomacy and negotiations.