Report: U.S. team to join Iran talks in Doha after Qatari mediation progress

A U.S. delegation is expected to join Iranian negotiators in Doha after Qatari and Pakistani mediators reported progress in indirect talks, according to Al-Araby Al-Jadeed. Washington, Tehran and Doha have not confirmed the report.

A U.S. delegation is expected to travel to Doha to meet Iranian officials after Qatari and Pakistani mediators reported progress in indirect talks between Washington and Tehran, the London-based Al-Araby Al-Jadeed newspaper reported Saturday, citing sources close to the mediation. Washington, Tehran and Doha have not confirmed the report.

The makeup of the U.S. team was not immediately clear. The Washington Post reported that Vice President JD Vance proposed a meeting in the near future and would lead the American side himself. Special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are also involved in the effort, according to MS NOW.

Special envoy Steve Witkoff, right, and Jared Kushner during talks in Moscow in September 2026 (file photo)

According to the newspaper's sources, the two sides agreed on preliminary steps covering Iran's nuclear program, shipping through the Strait of Hormuz and financial incentives for Tehran, with China and Russia acting as guarantors of any deal.

Axios reported that a Qatari delegation led by a senior adviser to Qatar's prime minister and foreign minister held more than 12 hours of talks in Tehran on Friday before flying back to Doha with Iran's negotiating team. "There was positive progress. Talks are still ongoing in an effort to unlock a deal between the U.S. and Iran," a diplomatic source told the outlet. Qatar has also proposed a seven-day plan of daily confidence-building steps, including letting U.N. inspectors visit Iran's bombed nuclear sites in exchange for limited U.S. sanctions relief, according to Reuters and Axios.

A U.S. official told Axios that Washington wants nuclear concessions as part of any return to talks, while Tehran insists the United States first lift its naval blockade, release frozen funds and allow oil sales. Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, the country's chief negotiator, said there would be no progress without full acceptance of Iran's seven conditions.

The diplomatic push comes days before Tuesday's midterm elections. A U.S. official told Axios that President Donald Trump may be more inclined to order a major strike on Iran if Republicans suffer heavy losses, while a White House official said the election would not factor into his decisions on Iran.

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