Qatar is working to prevent another regional escalation at all costs, investing significant effort in mediating between Tehran and Washington. Sources close to the talks report that meetings are ongoing, but so far no clear breakthrough has emerged.
Iranian Foreign Minister Araghchi addressed the mediation efforts in remarks to Iranian media, saying: "Consultations through intermediaries are at a very high intensity. We have presented our conditions and our plan, and the whole matter depends on the political rationality of Washington."
Iranian President Pezeshkian also weighed in, hinting that Iran is more open to compromise than in the past while making clear that red lines remain. "We have received authority from the Supreme Leader, extensive authority," he said. "But there are still boundaries that cannot be crossed, we will not allow harm to the sovereignty of the nation."
At the same time, sources close to the talks report that despite the mediation effort, the American minimum remains far from the Iranian maximum, and that escalation before any deal may be unavoidable.
