Qatar PM arrives for White House talks

Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani is meeting with President Donald Trump at the White House on Monday. The discussions are taking place behind closed doors. Vice President JD Vance is also scheduled to speak with the Qatari leader. Sheikh Mohammed serves as foreign minister and has acted as an intermediary between Washington and Tehran.

The meetings occur as the United States examines a new nuclear and peace proposal from Iran. Tehran delivered the offer via Qatari mediators on Thursday. Iran stated that the proposal should only be discussed after Washington meets seven specific demands. US officials are currently reviewing the documents.

Iran has held a firm position that it will not negotiate on atomic activities until the Trump administration agrees to core conditions for a ceasefire. Tehran maintains that its nuclear program is peaceful. However, the International Atomic Energy Agency reports that Iran holds 440.9kg of uranium enriched to 60 percent purity. This level is a short technical step away from the 90 percent threshold for weapons grade material.

Iran’s enrichment levels have risen since President Trump withdrew from the nuclear deal in 2018. That agreement, signed under President Barack Obama, had capped enrichment at below 3.67 percent. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi warned on Sunday that Tehran will rain down hell if the US resumes attacks. He explained that the current two day proposal was developed with Qatari mediators. It builds on a seven day plan Iran announced at the UN General Assembly in September.

Araghchi detailed the timeline for the proposed deal. On day one, the US implements a set of measures. On day two, the Strait of Hormuz reopens and navigation returns to normal. Tehran’s demands include lifting sanctions imposed after a memorandum of understanding collapsed. That agreement was signed in Islamabad, Pakistan, in June. Iran also wants the US to reduce its military presence in the region and reinstate oil waivers granted in June. Tehran seeks the release of frozen Iranian funds, including those held in Qatar.

Iran requested formal recognition of a new shipping route in the Strait of Hormuz. This route was worked out by Iran and Oman. Tehran wants all other routes closed. The country also demanded an end to the war on all fronts, including Israel’s attacks on Lebanon. Araghchi held talks with 12 regional counterparts over 48 hours last week. He called for a regional security arrangement free from extra-regional powers. Iranian security chief Mohsen Rezaei warned Trump on Saturday against renewed attacks, stating that starting war would bring a devastating response.

President Trump warned on Sunday that Washington identified additional targets in Iran. He said it is highly unlikely the US will launch new strikes if negotiations yield a strong agreement. Sheikh Mohammed said mediation continues and that the US has the willingness to take steps toward a solution. Trump confirmed on Friday that the White House is talking to Iranian representatives and has made a lot of progress. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio told reporters in Florida on Sunday that negotiations had not made progress. He described Iranian demands as not just unacceptable, but in some cases outrageous and ridiculous.

Rubio added that he would not say the US is at the verge of a breakthrough. US media reported that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Central Command commander Brad Cooper are pressing Trump to resume attacks. Axios quoted a US official saying Central Command is preparing for the resumption of major military operations. It is waiting for orders from Washington. Trump told reporters on Thursday that the US may have to destroy the rest of Iran. He said people will know soon enough if he acts.

Trump warned that three US aircraft carriers are stationed in the region and fully locked and loaded. He said the US identified infrastructure targets, including 38 bridges, to strike if military action resumes. The US military carried out limited strikes on Iran’s air defences at least twice over the past week. It also fired on a commercial ship on Saturday, disabling it. The US said the ship was trying to breach a naval blockade on Iranian ports. Rubio said Washington would take defensive actions if needed to protect shipping or forces in the region. The Aerospace Force of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said weapons are secured for years to come. Brigadier-General Ali Belali stated on Telegram that the armed forces are ready and that Iran’s response will be devastating if the enemy makes a mistake.