Qatari mediators return to Tehran for talks on new Iran-US deal

Qatari mediators returned to the Iranian capital Tehran on Monday evening to resume consultations with Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi over a draft agreement with the United States, as part of efforts to end the conflict and prevent renewed military confrontation, amid ongoing disputes between the two sides over the sequencing of issues and conditions for reaching a settlement.

Reuters quoted a source familiar with the negotiations as saying the Qatari mediators arrived in Tehran for talks with Araghchi regarding a version of the Iran-US draft agreement that has been under negotiation for eight days, following a round of consultations between Iranian officials and Qatari mediators in Doha that ended without a breakthrough.

Iranian negotiators had left Doha on Sunday. The source noted their departure was not due to difficulties in the talks, clarifying that a new draft proposal is being circulated with the possibility of a follow-up meeting.

The Iranian proposals are based on a seven-step plan presented by Tehran last September to end the conflict. The plan includes lifting the US naval blockade on Iranian ports, reopening the Strait of Hormuz, easing restrictions on Iranian oil sales, and removing new sanctions, before moving on to discuss other issues.

As part of a revised timeline, Tehran has proposed implementing arrangements to reopen the Strait of Hormuz within two days instead of seven, if an agreement is reached with Washington.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei said the seven-step proposal remains the basis for ongoing talks through mediators, noting that Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi participated in the Doha meetings to facilitate message exchanges with the US via Qatari mediation.

Disagreements over the sequencing of issues remain an obstacle to reaching an agreement. Washington wants Iran’s nuclear program included in the talks from the outset, while Tehran insists on lifting the US blockade on its ports and easing restrictions on its oil exports before moving to the nuclear file.

Iran also maintains it will not return to nuclear negotiations before verifying its demands are met, reflecting the ongoing gap between the parties’ priorities despite the circulation of a new draft agreement and continued diplomatic contacts.