Tehran, Nov 2026 : Iran is examining proposals presented by Qatar to resolve differences with the United States over Tehran's nuclear programme, raising the possibility of renewed indirect negotiations between the two countries amid continuing regional tensions.
Officials from Iran and Qatar confirmed on Friday that the proposals were under review. Qatar has been playing a central mediating role in diplomatic efforts to ease tensions between Tehran and Washington, particularly over the nuclear issue, which US President Donald Trump has identified as a key condition for any agreement to end the more than eight-month-old conflict.
However, an official familiar with the discussions said Iran was not yet prepared to negotiate its nuclear programme with the Trump administration unless Washington first accepted several conditions that Tehran wants incorporated into a ceasefire agreement. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the diplomatic engagement.
The renewed diplomatic activity comes days after Trump's Republican Party suffered a significant setback in the US midterm elections. Dissatisfaction among voters over the administration's handling of the conflict and rising fuel prices, which have affected economic activity and several sectors globally, contributed to the party's electoral difficulties.
The White House declined to comment on Qatar's proposals. Trump, however, confirmed that contacts with Tehran were continuing.
“We are talking to Iran. We have been,” he told reporters on Friday, while maintaining that the US military remained in control of the conflict.
Iran has put forward several conditions for entering nuclear negotiations. These include ending the US blockade of Iranian ports, lifting economic sanctions, releasing frozen Iranian assets and providing compensation for damage caused during the conflict. Tehran has also demanded an end to hostilities across the region, including Israeli military operations in Lebanon.
Qatar proposes interim confidence-building arrangement
According to regional officials, Qatar has presented a possible interim agreement designed to build confidence between Washington and Tehran before negotiations on a broader settlement begin.
The proposal reportedly envisages implementing a series of confidence-building measures over two days.
Under the first phase, the United States would lift its blockade of Iranian ports and release some of the billions of dollars in Iranian funds frozen under international sanctions. In return, Iran would permit International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) inspectors to access nuclear facilities that were targeted in bombing operations by the United States and Israel.
The second phase would involve Iran reopening the strategically important Strait of Hormuz under a modified arrangement reportedly agreed upon by Iran and Oman. However, the mechanism has not yet received approval from Washington.
The proposed arrangement would remain temporary until a permanent agreement on the strategic waterway could be negotiated in cooperation with other Gulf countries.
Once these initial measures are implemented, Washington and Tehran would begin broader discussions covering Iran's stockpile of highly enriched uranium and other aspects of its nuclear programme.
Iran has consistently maintained that its nuclear activities are intended for peaceful purposes. However, the IAEA has reported that Tehran possesses 440.9 kg of uranium enriched to 60 per cent purity, a level technically close to the 90 per cent generally associated with weapons-grade uranium.
Regional powers step up diplomatic efforts
Diplomatic efforts to prevent another escalation have intensified amid concerns that Trump could authorise fresh military strikes against Iran if negotiations fail to make progress.
US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth spoke with Qatar's Defence Minister Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman Al Thani on Friday to discuss developments in the region. Qatar also confirmed a separate telephone conversation between Trump and the Emir of Qatar, during which efforts to de-escalate tensions were discussed.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has also held telephone conversations with his counterparts in Iraq and Tunisia. During his discussion with Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein, Araghchi explained Tehran's position on the possibility of resuming negotiations with Washington, according to Iraq's News Agency.
Egypt has also intensified its diplomatic engagement. Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty, who has spoken twice with Araghchi this week, urged both sides to demonstrate flexibility and explore compromise solutions to prevent further escalation.
Abdelatty also held discussions with UAE Foreign Minister Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, emphasising the importance of political negotiations to avoid another military confrontation that could result in further violence and destruction.
With Qatar, Egypt and other regional countries pursuing diplomatic channels, the proposed interim arrangement could provide a framework for renewed engagement. However, significant differences remain over Iran's preconditions, the nuclear programme and the wider regional ceasefire, leaving the outcome of the diplomatic efforts uncertain.
(Disclaimer :The content of this article is sourced from a news agency and has not been edited by the Mavericknews30 team.)
