Qatari mediators push Tehran to take steps towards deal with Washington - The Jerusalem Post

Qatari mediators spent over 12 hours in talks with Iranian officials in Tehran on Friday as they continue marathon efforts to reignite direct US-Iran negotiations and prevent the outbreak ofrenewed military operations, according to anAxiosreport.

The mediators are reportedly pushingTehran and Washingtonto agree on steps that could be implemented in the coming days to bring both countries back to the negotiating table for discussions on issues, including Iran’s nuclear program.

According toAxios, the Qataris are trying to sell Iran on allowing United Nations inspectors to visit nuclear sites, many of which were heavily damaged by US and Israeli strikes. The inspections could act as a confidence-building measure that the US may respond to with therelaxation of sanctions.

A US official toldAxiosthat competing demands from both sides have stagnated progress. The US has insisted that nuclear concessions must be made before talks continue, while Iran’s demands include the lifting of a US naval blockade on Iranian ports along the Strait of Hormuz, the release of frozen funds, and the easing of sanctions before the nuclear topic can be touched.

A diplomatic source, however, said toAxiosthat Qatari mediators were in contact with the White House over the course of Friday’s talks and that “there was positive progress.”

“Talks are still ongoing in an effort to unlock a deal between the US and Iran,” the source added.

The discussions will reportedly resume in Doha, Qatar, on Saturday.

Friday’s talks came as Washington is weighing the possibility of renewed strikes against Iran ahead of US midterm elections set for November 3.

According toAxios, countries like Egypt, Turkey, Iraq,Pakistan, and Saudi Arabia have pushed for Iran to continue negotiations before the midterms.

One US official said that US President Donald Trump may be more motivated to order strikes on Iran if Republicans do poorly in the election.

"If he feels embarrassed or disenfranchised, he will do something bold. That's what everyone is telling the Iranians. Their best shot to get a deal is right now," the official toldAxios.

A White House official disputed that possibility, saying that the election results will not factor into Trump’s decision about Iran.

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