Qatari delegation makes second Tehran visit in a week as U.S.-Iran talks gain momentum: reports

The renewed diplomatic efforts come amid continued disagreements over the terms and sequencing of negotiations, with Qatar seeking to bridge differences between the two sides and prevent further regional escalation.A Qatari delegation arrived in Tehran on Friday for talks with senior Iranian officials, Iranian state media reported, as Doha steps up diplomatic efforts to facilitate negotiations between Iran and the United States.According to Iran’s IRNA news agency, the delegation was headed by a senior adviser to Qatar’s prime minister and was expected to discuss bilateral relations and regional developments with Iranian officials.The visit marks the second reported trip by Qatari mediators to Tehran within a week, highlighting Qatar’s continued role in facilitating communication between Washington and Tehran.Reuters reported on Friday that Qatari mediators had returned to the Iranian capital as part of efforts to reach an agreement between the two countries, with an official briefed on the negotiations confirming that the mediation efforts were being coordinated with the United States.The latest diplomatic activity follows Qatar’s presentation of a draft peace proposal to Iran on Sunday, according to an official briefed on the negotiations. However, a senior Iranian official described the proposals as unacceptable, while reiterating that Tehran would maintain its position on nuclear issues.Washington wants nuclear matters included from the beginning of negotiations, whereas Iran is demanding that the United States first end its blockade of Iranian ports and lift sanctions on its oil exports.Meanwhile, Al Jazeera, citing reports by U.S. media and officials familiar with the diplomatic contacts, reported that a possible meeting between U.S. Vice President JD Vance and Iranian security chief Mohsen Rezaei could take place as early as next week, with Doha or Istanbul being considered as potential venues. Vance reportedly sent a letter to Rezaei through Qatari mediators proposing renewed direct negotiations, with Washington seeking discussions on Iran’s nuclear programme from the outset.Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said on Wednesday that Tehran remained in close contact with intermediaries to review proposals that could facilitate the implementation of its own seven-day plan to end the conflict.