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31 Oct 2026, 02:42

▪️ An American official said that two conflicting demands have so far hindered progress in negotiations: the Trump administration's insistence that Iran must make concessions on its nuclear program as part of the process to resume talks; and Iran's condition that the U.S. must first lift the maritime blockade, release frozen assets, and allow Iran to sell oil.

▪️ The Qataris are trying to convince Iran to allow UN inspectors to visit its bombed nuclear facilities as a confidence-building measure; in return, the U.S. would reduce some sanctions.

Machine translation:
According to diplomatic sources, Qatari mediators negotiated for over 12 hours in Tehran on Friday to reach an agreement to resume direct negotiations between the U.S. and Iran and to prevent the outbreak of war following the U.S. midterm elections.

▪️ These talks will continue on Saturday in Doha, the capital of Qatar.

🔻 Why it matters:
The U.S. is now only a few days away from a potential military operation that could inflict significant damage on Iran and possibly lead to retaliatory attacks against Israel and several Gulf states.

🔻 Key developments:
A diplomatic source said that during the lengthy negotiations on Friday, Qatari mediators were in regular contact with the White House.

▪️ This source said, "Positive progress was made. Negotiations are ongoing, and efforts to untangle the agreement between the U.S. and Iran are underway."

▪️ The Qataris are encouraging the U.S. and Iran to agree on a series of reciprocal actions to be implemented within a few days, bringing both sides back to direct negotiations regarding Iran's nuclear program and other issues.

▪️ An American official said that two conflicting demands have so far hindered progress in negotiations: the Trump administration's insistence that Iran must make concessions on its nuclear program as part of the process to resume talks; and Iran's condition that the U.S. must first lift the maritime blockade, release frozen assets, and allow Iran to sell oil.

▪️ The Qataris are trying to convince Iran to allow UN inspectors to visit its bombed nuclear facilities as a confidence-building measure; in return, the U.S. would reduce some sanctions.

🔻 Differences behind the scenes:
Within Trump's inner circle, there are differing views on what he should do.

▪️ According to an American official, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Secretary of State Marco Rubio are highly skeptical that a nuclear agreement can be reached with the current Iranian government. They believe Trump's legacy should be to further weaken the Iranian regime, including through more military strikes.

▪️ This official said that while J.D. Vance, the Vice President, and Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, Trump's envoys, are calling for the resumption of negotiations, Trump doubts that Iran will ever agree to a deal that he finds acceptable.

▪️ Trump told reporters on Friday, "Discussions are ongoing. They want to talk. They are constantly talking... To be honest, we have time. This is a war, but it's not a conventional war."

▪️ Scott Busent, the U.S. Treasury Secretary who leads the economic pressure campaign known as "Operation Economic Outcast," is one of Trump's closest advisors urging him to allow this plan to come to fruition instead of rushing back into military conflict.

🔻 A broader perspective:
A regional source said that countries like Egypt, Turkey, Iraq, Pakistan, and Saudi Arabia have urged Iran to agree to resume negotiations before the U.S. midterm elections.

▪️ An American official said that if Republicans suffer a heavy defeat in the midterm elections, Trump may be more inclined to order a large-scale military operation.

▪️ This official said, "If he feels humiliated or sidelined, he will take bold action. This is what everyone is telling the Iranians. Their best chance for an agreement is right now."

▪️ A White House official said that the election results will not be a factor in Trump's decision-making regarding Iran.

▪️ Saudi and Turkish leaders have recently urged Trump to give diplomacy more time.

▪️ Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is pressuring Trump to launch a joint operation against Iran immediately after the elections.
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