Qatari mediators return to Tehran to push for US-Iran peace deal, official says

Qatari mediators returned Friday to Tehran, a source briefed on the talks told Reuters, after US Vice President JD Vance contacted Mohsen Rezaei, the hardline head of Iran’s National Security Council, whom Washington reportedly sees as the best-placed official to head off renewed fighting. The official who spoke to Reuters said the mediation talks in Tehran have been coordinated with the US. Washington wants nuclear issues included from the start of negotiations, while Tehran demands that the US first end its port blockade and lift oil export sanctions.

Qatar had presented a draft peace plan to Iran on Sunday, according to an official briefed on negotiations. But a senior Iranian official dismissed the proposals as unacceptable and said Tehran would maintain its nuclear position. On Wednesday, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Tehran remained in close contact with intermediaries to review ideas that could ensure the implementation of its own seven-day proposal aimed at ending the ​war in the Middle East.

Get The Times of Israel's Daily Edition by email and never miss our top stories Newsletter email address Get it By signing up, you agree to the terms Also on Wednesday, the Wall Street Journal reported Vance had sent a letter to Rezaei concerning a possible framework for peace negotiations. Trump later told reporters he had approved the outreach and that it concerned medical supplies. Mohsen Rezaei, the head of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, attends a ceremony at Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini’s shrine in southern Tehran on June 4, 2026. (Morteza Nikoubazl/NurPhoto) Citing a US official familiar with the talks, Washington Post columnist David Ignatius said Vance’s letter stressed the need for the US and Iran to return to negotiations focused on their respective national interests — for Iran, rebuilding its economy, and for the US, preventing a nuclear Iran.

Ignatius also quoted the official as saying Vance conveyed “the need for Iran to provide representatives who are empowered to discuss the nuclear issues.” Advertisement Vance expressed willingness to meet Rezaei personally for peace talks, Ignatius said, adding that if there is a meeting it will likely take place in Istanbul or Doha. According to Ignatius, Vance’s message reflected the White House’s assessment that “Rezaei is the essential point of contact in Tehran and the only person who could build a consensus behind an agreement to halt the nuclear program.”

The US reached that conclusion after Vance’s talks in Islamabad in April with Iran’s parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf failed to yield a meaningful settlement, Ignatius said. US Vice President JD Vance speaks during a news conference after meeting with representatives from Pakistan and Iran, April 12, 2026, in Islamabad. (AP/Jacquelyn Martin) Rezaei has the respect of former colleagues from Iran’s Revolutionary Guard, is regularly in touch with Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei and has communicated with Khamenei since receiving Vance’s letter, according to US intelligence officials cited by Ignatius.

Khamenei has not been seen in public since he was wounded in the US-Israeli strikes that killed his father and predecessor Ali Khamenei at the start of the war on February 28. While Rezaei’s years of railing against the West cast doubt on his willingness to reach a deal with Washington, US officials believe the hardline official “understands the dire situation” in Iran’s economy, Ignatius said. Is our live election coverage important to you?

Are you relying on The Times of Israel for accurate and timely coverage of the 2026 Israeli election? If so, please join The Times of Israel Community. For as little as $6/month, you will: Support our independent journalists who are working around the clock to report political developments as they unfold; Read ToI with a clear, ads-free experience on our site, apps and podcasts; and Gain access to exclusive content shared only with the ToI Community, including our DocuNation streaming film series and weekly letters from founding editor David Horovitz.

Join The Times of Israel Community JOIN NOW Already a member? Sign in to stop seeing this You're a dedicated reader We’re really pleased that you’ve read X Times of Israel articles in the past month. That’s why we started the Times of Israel - to provide discerning readers like you with must-read coverage of Israel and the Jewish world. So now we have a request. Unlike other news outlets, we haven’t put up a paywall. But as the journalism we do is costly, we invite readers for whom The Times of Israel has become important to help support our work by joining The Times of Israel Community.

For as little as $6 a month you can help support our quality journalism while enjoying The Times of Israel AD-FREE , as well as accessing exclusive content available only to Times of Israel Community members. Thank you, David Horovitz, Founding Editor of The Times of Israel Join Our Community Join Our Community Already a member? Sign in to stop seeing this Most Popular 1 With close to all votes counted, Netanyahu bloc has 53 seats, Eisenkot’s 48; Arab parties surge to 19 2 Israeli election 2026 With all votes counted, Netanyahu’s bloc has 53 seats, Eisenkot’s 48, Arab parties 19 3 Op-ed: Two days after election Israel’s election yielded a stalemate.

Which means Netanyahu won 4 In big, improbable shift, UTJ said to consider supporting an Eisenkot-led minority government 5 Op-ed For pro-Israel diaspora, Israel’s Arab voters are a point of pride. For Israeli Jews, they’re a national security threat 6 Thai PM revokes chief rabbi’s citizenship over use of US passport – report 7 Top US commander briefs Trump on Iran military options as 10 US military transport planes land in Israel 8 Eisenkot vows to advance draft law, Oct. 7 inquiry despite slim coalition prospects read more: Israel & the Region Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf JD Vance 2026 US-Israel war with Iran If you’d like to comment, join The Times of Israel Community.

JOIN THE TOI COMMUNITY Already a member? Log in here close popup Sign in or Join The Times of Israel Community Sign in or Register Paying ToI Community members are invited to comment on articles Email address * Please use the following structure: example@domain.com Continue Or Continue with By joining you agree to the terms and conditions Send me The Times of Israel Daily Edition back close popup Register to continue Email address * Change REGISTER Or Continue with back close popup Log in to continue Email address * Something went wrong.

Please try again in a few minutes.. Continue back close popup Sign in or Join The Times of Israel Community Sign in or Register You are currently registered. Please join The Times of Israel Community to comment and enjoy other Community benefits Only ToI Community members can comment below articles Email address * Password * Incorrect password. Please try again or choose an option below. Forgot your password? / Send me a login link Continue Sign in without joining Or Continue with close popup Check your email We sent an email to you at .

It has a link that will sign you in. Click the link in that email to complete registration so you can comment. back close popup Join The Times of Israel Community Commenting is available for paying members of The Times of Israel Community only. Please join our Community to comment and enjoy other Community benefits. Email address * Please use the following structure: example@domain.com JOIN NOW! close popup Thank you! Now check your email You are now a member of The Times of Israel Community!

We sent you an email with a login link to . Once you're set up, you can start enjoying Community benefits and commenting.