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A breakthrough has been reached in indirect U.S.-Iran talks following Qatari mediation, and a U.S. delegation is expected to join Iranian negotiators for direct talks in Doha, Al-Araby Al-Jadeed reported Saturday, citing sources close to the Qatari and Pakistani mediation.
Preliminary measures were agreed on Iran’s nuclear program, navigation through the Strait of Hormuz and financial incentives for Iran, with China and Russia to serve as guarantors of any agreement.
There was no official confirmation from Washington, Tehran or Doha.
The direct talks would pave the way for announcing a return to negotiations between the two sides, according to the sources who spoke to the outlet.
The makeup of the U.S. delegation was not immediately clear.
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The reported breakthrough came after 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, Axios reported.
Iran’s negotiating team accompanied the Qatari delegation back to Doha, with talks resuming Saturday, according to Axios. "There was positive progress. Talks are still ongoing in an effort to unlock a deal between the U.S. and Iran," a diplomatic source said.
U.S. Vice President JD Vance had proposed a meeting between U.S. and Iranian officials in a letter to Iranian security chief Mohsen Rezaei, The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported.
Meanwhile, Pakistan’s military is "cautiously optimistic" about its mediation, spokesman Lt. Gen. Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry told Reuters. Army chief Field Marshal Asim Munir visited Tehran twice this month, most recently alongside Saudi and Turkish officials.
"Why would the Field Marshal be going twice if it is not for some positivity? So yes, of course," Chaudhry said.
Iran’s army spokesman Brig. Gen. Akraminia said the military remained distrustful and was continuously boosting its combat readiness.
"If the U.S. president once again, with threats and inducements of the Zionists, embarks on another adventure in the region, undoubtedly the fire of war will engulf a wider geography and the end of the war will not be in his hands," he said, according to Iranian media.
Washington wants nuclear concessions as part of resuming talks, while Tehran insists the U.S. first lift its naval blockade, release frozen funds and allow oil sales, a U.S. official told Axios.
A U.S. official also told Axios that U.S. President Donald Trump may be more inclined to order a major strike on Iran if Republicans lose badly in Tuesday’s midterms.
A White House official said the election would not factor into his decisions.
The reported breakthrough in U.S.-Iran talks comes days before the Nov. 3 elections.
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