US delegation expected in Doha for direct talks with Iran after reported breakthrough

Doha, Oct 31 (UNI) A US delegation is expected to join Iranian officials for direct talks in Qatar's capital, Doha, following reported progress in indirect negotiations between Washington and Tehran, the Qatari newspaper Al-Araby Al-Jadeed reported on Saturday.

Citing sources familiar with mediation efforts led by Qatar and Pakistan, the newspaper said the two sides has reached preliminary understandings on Iran's nuclear programme, navigation through the Strait of Hormuz and potential economic incentives for Tehran. China and Russia could serve as guarantors of any eventual agreement, the report said. The developments follow more than 12 hours of discussions between Qatari mediators and Iranian officials in Tehran on Friday, aimed at reviving direct negotiations between Washington and Tehran, according to a report by Axios. An Iranian delegation, including a deputy to Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, subsequently travelled to Doha to continue discussions with Qatari mediators.

The Iranian source said negotiations with Washington are still being conducted indirectly through Qatar, rather than through direct contact between the two sides. Sources close to the mediation efforts said a US delegation is expected to arrive in Doha and could hold direct discussions with Iranian negotiators. Qatari mediators have remained in regular contact with the White House during the diplomatic efforts as per several media reports , citing a diplomatic source, who described the discussions as showing positive progress. The negotiations are taking place amid concerns that Washington could resume military action against Iran following the US midterm elections scheduled for November 3.

According to Axios, Qatar is seeking to secure reciprocal steps from both sides over several days to create conditions for the resumption of broader negotiations on Iran's nuclear programme and other outstanding issues. However, significant differences remain over the conditions for restarting talks. The Trump administration want Iran to make nuclear concessions before negotiations resumed. Tehran, meanwhile, has demanded that Washington lift its naval blockade, release frozen Iranian funds and allow Iranian oil exports. Qatari mediators are also seeking to persuade Tehran to permit United Nations inspectors to visit nuclear facilities damaged in previous strikes, potentially in exchange for sanctions relief from Washington.

Separately, Al Arabiya English reported that a preliminary draft framework under discussion proposes transferring Iran's highly enriched uranium stockpile to a third country or reducing its enrichment level. The draft also envisages reopening the Strait of Hormuz to international shipping within seven days of an initial understanding and holding direct US-Iran negotiations in Doha. It is being reported that China could potentially act as a guarantor of the agreement's implementation. The reported proposal also includes independent verification of commitments, phased implementation and a mechanism to resolve disputes. Differences have also emerged within US President Donald Trump's administration over the next course of action towards Iran.

Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth and Secretary of State Marco Rubio are sceptical about the prospects of reaching a nuclear agreement with the current Iranian government and favour further military pressure, Axios reported, citing a US official. Vice President JD Vance and Trump's envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner favour renewed diplomatic engagement, according to the report. Trump said on Friday that discussions with Iran were continuing but expressed uncertainty over whether Tehran would agree to a deal acceptable to Washington.

Meanwhile, regional powers, including Egypt, Turkey, Iraq, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, have also been pressing Iran to return to negotiations. The diplomatic initiative comes amid fears that renewed hostilities could spread across the Gulf, threaten energy infrastructure and further disrupt global oil supplies. Iran has warned that US strikes against its energy infrastructure could trigger retaliatory attacks on oil and gas facilities across the Gulf region. Any renewed US military operation against Iran could involve Israel, with Tehran expected to respond with missile attacks. The possibility of further escalation has also raised concerns over potential involvement by Hezbollah.

As the diplomatic efforts are underway to end the war, neither Washington nor Tehran has officially confirmed an agreement to hold direct talks in Doha or endorsed the reported preliminary framework. The renewed push for diplomacy comes as US forces in the Middle East are prepared to launch new, potentially major, military operations against Iran "within 96 hours of receiving" an order from President Donald Trump.

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