U.S. delegation to join Iran talks in Doha: report

A U.S. delegation is expected to join Iran talks in Doha following a reported diplomatic breakthrough, as fears of renewed war between Washington and Tehran persist.A U.S. delegation is expected to join negotiations with Iranian officials in Doha following a reported breakthrough in Qatar-led mediation efforts, even as fears grow over the possibility of renewed American military action against Iran.Sources close to the mediation efforts, which also involve Pakistan, told Qatar-based newspaper Al-Araby Al-Jadeed on Saturday that progress had been made in indirect negotiations between Washington and Tehran following intensive talks in the Iranian capital on Friday.The Qatari delegation, headed by a senior adviser to Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, spent more than 12 hours in discussions with Iranian officials.Sources said the talks had produced preliminary understandings concerning Iran’s nuclear programme, navigation through the Strait of Hormuz and financial incentives for Tehran, with China and Russia expected to act as guarantors of any agreement.The anticipated arrival of U.S. officials in Doha could pave the way for formal negotiations, although it remains unclear whether Washington and Tehran will meet directly.A source close to the mediation efforts said Qatar was pushing for direct talks, while an Iranian source told Al-Araby Al-Jadeed that negotiations were continuing indirectly through mediators.An Iranian deputy foreign minister is already in Doha to facilitate discussions with the Qatari delegation, the source added.Axios journalist Barak Ravid reported that no date had been set for the U.S. delegation’s arrival and that no agreement had been reached on resuming direct negotiations.Diplomacy races against threat of renewed warIranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told Al Jazeera on Saturday that Tehran was reviewing proposals from mediators concerning its nuclear programme as part of a second phase of negotiations.He said Iran’s proposal remained the only plan currently under consideration for reopening the Strait of Hormuz, with Qatari mediators initially suggesting a five-day implementation period before talks produced a revised two-day timetable.Araghchi said Tehran’s conditions included lifting sanctions imposed after the Islamabad memorandum, reducing U.S. military forces in the region, restoring oil export waivers and releasing all frozen Iranian funds, including those held in Qatar.The diplomatic push comes amid growing concerns that the Trump administration could launch another military offensive against Iran following Tuesday’s U.S. midterm elections.Axios reported that senior U.S. officials remain divided over whether to pursue further military action or give diplomacy more time.Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth and Secretary of State Marco Rubio are reportedly sceptical about the prospects of a nuclear agreement, while Vice President JD Vance, special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner favour continued negotiations.The possibility of renewed fighting remains a central concern for regional governments, with fears that another confrontation could threaten Gulf energy infrastructure and disrupt shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.Tehran has warned that further U.S. strikes on its energy facilities could trigger retaliation against oil and gas infrastructure elsewhere in the region, raising the prospect of a wider regional conflict.Washington and Tehran also remain divided over the terms of a potential agreement.The U.S. is reportedly demanding nuclear concessions, while Iran is seeking an end to the American naval blockade, access to frozen funds and relief from restrictions on its oil exports.According to Reuters, Qatari mediators presented Tehran with a draft proposal earlier this week outlining a seven-day timetable for reciprocal confidence-building measures.The Washington Post also reported that Vance had proposed a meeting with senior Iranian officials through Qatari intermediaries and could personally lead the American negotiating team.Friday’s marathon talks in Tehran followed an earlier Qatari mediation visit, during which officials presented a revised proposal aimed at ending the U.S. war on Iran.A diplomatic source cited by Axios described the latest discussions as showing “positive progress”, but said negotiations were continuing as both sides sought an agreement.