Iran sends nuclear proposal through Qatar: How Doha emerged as key mediator between US and Iran after it distanced itself | Today’s news
More than eight months after the war between the United States and Iran, several countries stepped forward to broker an agreement and participate in regional efforts to end the conflict and prevent further escalation. While Pakistan has taken a prominent role in the diplomatic push and leaders of both sides met in Islamabad in April, another country that has largely worked behind the scenes is now positioning itself as a key mediator in the talks between Washington and Tehran: Qatar.
The Gulf country had previously distanced itself from direct mediation efforts after being attacked by Iran, saying it would support the Pakistan-led effort. However, it has since re-engaged in the diplomatic process and continues its efforts to prevent further escalation.
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What Qatar has said about its mediation efforts
On Friday (local time), Qatari Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani said during a public interview at Oxford University that mediation efforts remain active to prevent a major escalation in the region. He warned that the crisis “cannot remain unresolved,” Al Jazeera reported.
Thani said: “For the last few weeks, we have been working with colleagues in the US administration who are very serious about finding a way to contain the situation and de-escalate it.” He went on to say that mediation efforts were continuing “to keep the situation from spiraling out of control,” adding that “thanks to some wise voices in Tehran, we have kept it from spiraling out of control.”
Iran sends nuclear proposal to US via Qatar
The Qatari prime minister’s comments came a day after Reuters reported that Iran had sent a nuclear proposal to the US through Qatar. The proposal is to be discussed only after Washington agrees to meet the seven demands of Tehran that Iran included in a seven-day cease-fire proposal in September that was rejected by US President Donald Trump.
How Qatar went from distancing itself to a key broker
The latest proposal highlights Qatar’s growing involvement in efforts to bring Washington and Tehran closer to a deal. However, Doha’s role in the diplomatic process was not always so significant, with the Gulf country initially reluctant to accept direct mediation after coming under Iranian attack.
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In early March this year, nearly a month after the US and Israel launched a joint operation against Iran, a Qatari foreign ministry spokesman told Reuters that there was no direct Qatari mediation between the two countries, but added that Doha supported all formal and informal diplomatic channels to end the war.
But two months later, a Qatari negotiating team visited Iran in May in coordination with the US to try to help secure an agreement to end the war and resolve outstanding issues, Reuters reported. Doha, which has worked as a mediator in the Gaza war and other areas of international tension, has distanced itself from playing a mediator role after being attacked by Iranian missiles and drones.
According to a June 16 report by The National News, Doha, which hosts the largest US base in the region and has a long history of acting as a diplomatic bridge between adversaries, changed its stance in May. It reportedly refused to enter negotiations under Iranian fire, but hosted an Iranian delegation after the ceasefire to discuss the release of frozen funds.
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Qatar’s re-engagement came despite Iran launching hundreds of missiles and drones on the ground targeting civilian infrastructure and its vital liquefied natural gas (LNG) facility at Ras Laffan. The attack destroyed roughly 17% of the country’s LNG export capacity. Qatar already halted LNG production on March 2 following the Iranian strikes.
A June 16 report by The New Arab, citing analysts and diplomats, said Qatar’s role this time was less about formal mediation and more about facilitating communication.
Tehran has hosted several high-level Qatari delegations, with one visit just hours before the deal was announced. Discussions during earlier trips focused on key issues that have stalled negotiations, including Iran’s nuclear program, asset freezes, regional security and arrangements for passage through the Strait of Hormuz.
Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani also visited Washington twice, first in late March and then again in mid-May. During the visits, he discussed with US Vice President JD Vance the regional conflict and the conditions needed to reach an agreement.
In another diplomatic engagement at the end of May, Doha welcomed a senior Iranian delegation consisting of Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and Central Bank Governor Abdolnaser Hemmati. The talks reportedly covered the release of frozen Iranian assets, maritime security, confidence-building measures and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.
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Doha’s renewed diplomatic engagement comes at a crucial time as Washington and Tehran continue to seek a way out of the conflict despite disagreements over the Islamic Republic’s nuclear program and other regional issues. While Pakistan played a significant public role in the peace effort, Doha’s ability to maintain communication with both sides made it an important part of the diplomatic process. Whether its latest efforts can help bridge remaining differences and bring the two countries closer to an agreement remains to be seen.
