Qatari mediators in Tehran for 'last-ditch' bid at Iran-US deal amid Trump administration split

The Washington Post reported that Qatari mediators arrived in Tehran on Friday as part of negotiations to end the war, while Gulf states ramp up efforts to break the stalemate between Washington and Tehran amid growing fears of renewed US strikes on Iran.

Citing a source familiar with the talks, the paper described the visit as a "last-ditch attempt to broker a temporary agreement between Iran and the United States," noting that discussions continued Saturday in Doha and are being held "in coordination with the United States."

According to another official familiar with the negotiations, US President Donald Trump appears open to both an agreement and the resumption of strikes. JD Vance, special envoy Jared Kushner, and presidential adviser Jared Kushner are reportedly pushing for a deal, while others, including Pete Hegseth, are opposed.

An unnamed Iranian official told the newspaper that "the next two days will be decisive in determining the course of events," adding that the Americans "are seeking a positive breakthrough" ahead of the midterm elections.

A White House official said the United States is "in a very strong position," adding: "Iran is devastated, and things will go one of two ways: the easy way or the hard way. President Trump holds all the cards and will do what is best for the United States," stressing that Washington remains in regular contact with all its regional allies.

The paper noted that Gulf leaders are publicly and privately calling for de-escalation. The UAE Foreign Ministry on Wednesday urged "intensified diplomatic efforts" and "wisdom and pursuit of political solutions to contain tensions," while Omani Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi earlier in the week called on Gulf states to form a security pact that includes Iran and Iraq.

The newspaper quoted Democratic Senator Chris Murphy as describing US plans to resume strikes after the elections—which he said he had been briefed on and which include targeting civilian infrastructure—as "insane" and likely to lead to "devastating escalation."

It added that Gulf states have strengthened their defenses since the start of the war by increasing purchases from the United States and turning to other partners, including Turkey and South Korea.

These developments follow the visit of Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Minister of Defense, and representatives of the Mecca Joint Defense Agreement states to Tehran, as part of efforts to de-escalate and support Qatari-Pakistani mediation.