Qatar-led mediators push for US-Iran deal to avert new strikes: Report

Regional mediators led by Qatar are working to restart negotiations between the US and Iran to prevent a resumption of the war, the Axios news site reported Wednesday. They are urging Tehran to allow UN inspectors to visit bombed nuclear sites in return for some relief from US sanctions, according to the report, which cited US, Israeli and regional sources. Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Türkiye are supporting the effort, it said. US President Donald Trump told Axios that talks with Iran are taking place through mediators but said he does not know whether they will succeed.

“We need to finish the job — either through a deal or another way — we will find out if negotiations can succeed,” he said. The report comes as Trump has threatened for weeks to launch large-scale strikes against Iran. Separately, The Wall Street Journal reported Wednesday that US Vice President JD Vance has sent a letter to Iranian security chief Mohsen Rezaei in an effort to revive peace negotiations. According to the report, which cited US officials and people familiar with the matter, the letter was sent at Trump’s direction as Washington explores whether a diplomatic framework could prevent renewed US strikes against Iran in the coming weeks.

Asked whether he had directed Vance to speak with Iran, Trump said: “No, what it is is that they need help with medical supplies and various things.” "He asked me what I thought. I said, if you want to do that, that's okay. Basically, it's getting supplies in to help people that are not well," he added.