World

Qatar Re‑engages as Mediator in US‑Iran Talks After Iran Sends Nuclear Proposal

By Swati Gandhi

After eight months of conflict between the United States and Iran, several nations have stepped forward to broker a deal and prevent further escalation. Pakistan has taken a prominent role, with leaders from both sides meeting in Islamabad in April. Qatar, which had previously distanced itself from direct mediation after Iranian attacks, is now positioning itself as a key mediator in talks between Washington and Tehran.

On Friday, Qatari Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani said in a public interview at Oxford University that mediation efforts remain active to prevent a major escalation in the region. He warned that the crisis “cannot be left unresolved” and added that for the past couple of weeks the Qatari team had worked with colleagues in the US administration who have “very genuine intentions to find a way to contain the situation and de‑escalate it”. He said mediation continues “to prevent the situation from spiralling out of control” and credited “wise voices in Tehran” for helping keep the situation from getting out of control.

The remarks came a day after Reuters reported that Iran had sent the US a nuclear proposal via Qatar. The proposal is to be discussed only after Washington agrees to meet Tehran’s seven demands, which Iran included in a seven‑day ceasefire proposal in September that US President Donald Trump rejected.

Doha’s role in the diplomatic process has not always been prominent. Earlier in March, after the US and Israel launched a joint operation against Iran, Qatar’s foreign ministry spokesperson said there was no direct Qatari mediation between the two countries, but Doha supported all formal and informal diplomatic channels to end the war. Two months later, a Qatari negotiating team visited Iran in May, in coordination with the US, to try to help secure a deal to end the war and resolve outstanding issues.

Qatar had distanced itself from playing a mediation role after coming under attack from Iranian missiles and drones. According to a report by The National News dated 16 June, Doha changed its stance in May. It reportedly refused to enter negotiations under Iranian fire but hosted an Iranian delegation after a ceasefire was in place to discuss the release of frozen funds. Qatar’s re‑engagement came despite Iran having launched hundreds of missiles and drones at the country, targeting civilian infrastructure and its vital liquefied natural gas (LNG) production facility at Ras Laffan. The attack wiped out roughly 17% of the country’s LNG export capacity. Qatar had already halted LNG production on 2 March following Iranian strikes.

A report by The New Arab dated 16 June, citing analysts and diplomats, said Qatar’s role was less about formal mediation this time and focused more on facilitating communication. Tehran received several high‑level Qatari delegations, with one visit taking place just hours before the agreement was announced. Discussions during earlier trips centred on key issues that had stalled negotiations, including Iran’s nuclear programme, frozen assets, regional security and arrangements for navigation through the Strait of Hormuz.

Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani also visited Washington twice, first in late March and then again in mid‑May. During the visits, he held discussions with US Vice President J.D. Vance on the regional conflict and the conditions needed to reach an agreement. In another diplomatic engagement in late May, Doha welcomed a senior Iranian delegation comprising Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and Central Bank Governor Abdolnaser Hemmati. The talks reportedly addressed the release of frozen Iranian assets, maritime security, confidence‑building measures and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.

Doha’s renewed diplomatic involvement comes at a crucial time as Washington and Tehran continue to explore a way out of the conflict despite disagreements over the Islamic Republic’s nuclear programme and other regional issues. While Pakistan has played a prominent public role in the peace efforts, Doha’s ability to maintain communication with both sides has made it an important part of the diplomatic process. Whether its latest efforts can help bridge the remaining differences and bring the two countries closer to an agreement remains to be seen.