Trump to Meet Qatar PM as Iran Rejects Talks Until U.S. Meets Seven Conditions

Qatar mediation, seven demands

President Donald Trump is set to hold talks with Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani behind closed doors at the White House on Monday, as the United States and Iran continue efforts to bridge differences over Iran’s nuclear programme and the terms for ending the conflict. Iran offered the US a new nuclear and peace proposal via Qatari mediators on Thursday to be discussed only after Washington meets Tehran’s seven demands, while Tehran will not negotiate with Washington until concrete steps are taken to meet those seven conditions. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian stated that Supreme Leader Mujtaba Khamenei issued directives to end the state of 'no war and no peace,' stressing that Iran is ready for negotiations but will not bow to coercion or bullying.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi warned that Tehran will “rain down hell” if the US resumes attacks, and Ismail Baqaei told reporters that “Iran controls the Strait of Hormuz” and ships that travel along 'unsafe' routes face consequences. A senior Iranian security official said Tehran does not intend to negotiate with the United States unless Washington takes concrete steps to meet Iran's seven conditions, which were set in a provisional agreement reached between the two countries in June.

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Rubio, Vance, and the talks

An unnamed US official told Reuters that Vice President JD Vance is also scheduled to hold talks with Sheikh Mohammed, who also serves as foreign minister and has been known to act as an intermediary between Washington and Tehran.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio told reporters in Florida on Sunday that negotiations with Iran have made only “slight progress” and that he does not foresee a forthcoming breakthrough.

Rubio described Iranian demands as “not just unacceptable, but in some cases, outrageous and ridiculous and really not realistic,” while Sheikh Mohammed told reporters that mediation efforts continue and that the US has intentions and willingness to “take steps towards finding a solution”.

Ismail Baqaei told a press conference in Tehran on Monday that diplomacy and the battlefield are not separate domains, and that “we will certainly not hesitate” to use both tools to protect national interests.

Iran’s security chief, Mohsen Rezaei, warned Trump on Saturday: “Start war and you will face a devastating response.”

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War risks and next steps

US media reported that Trump was being pressed by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Central Command (CENTCOM) commander Brad Cooper to resume attacks against Iran, and Axios quoted a US official as saying CENTCOM was preparing for the resumption of major military operations in Iran. Official Iranian media reported late Sunday explosions on Qeshm Island at the entrance to the Strait of Hormuz, and IRNA reported that Tavanir denied speculation about a possible cyberattack on Tehran’s power grid. Trump told reporters on Thursday the US may have to “destroy” the rest of Iran, adding that people will “know soon enough” if he acts, and it also said Trump warned that US forces have three aircraft carriers stationed.

A navy official of the IRGC told Iranian state media on Monday that the navigation support systems in the south of the Strait of Hormuz were destroyed, and it added that the unnamed official said no unauthorized ships passed through this sea lane during Sunday night. Iran’s position remained tied to its seven conditions, and Iran offered a two-day proposal via Qatari mediators that would be discussed only after Washington meets those demands, while Iran’s stance was that it will not negotiate until concrete steps are taken.

Reporting for this sectionAl JazeeraBBC