Trump, Qatar leader discuss mediation efforts to end Iran war, Mideast conflict

[AMMAN/DUBAI] US President Donald Trump spoke with Qatar’s leader by phone about efforts to de-escalate tensions in the Middle East, part of a flurry of recent diplomatic efforts to prevent a renewal of all out war with Iran. 

The US leader and Emir Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani discussed Qatar’s efforts to resolve the differences between the sides and secure a comprehensive agreement to end the conflict, the emir’s office said on Friday (Nov 6). 

Sheikh Tamim stressed the importance of dialogue as a means to settle disputes, alongside the need for freedom of maritime navigation and security of energy supplies, a reference to the restrictions to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. 

Qatar is acting as the chief mediator between Washington and Teheran during a period of intense diplomatic activity to try to end the war, which is now into its ninth month.

Qatari officials had been shuttling back and forth between Doha and the Iranian capital to solidify a potential deal in the run up to the US midterm elections on Tuesday, which saw the Democrats take control of Congress in a landslide win over Trump’s Republican party. 

In the aftermath of the vote, Trump said he had no immediate plans to launch strikes on Iran, sending oil prices lower.

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Brent crude has plunged below US$100 for the first time since September as investors wager that the Democratic sweep eases the prospect of a return to all-out fighting, which Trump had repeatedly threatened before the vote. 

Iran demands practical US steps before diplomacy, senior security official says

Iran is not satisfied with “paper commitments” and must see practical US steps before the launch of any new diplomatic efforts, Ali Bagheri Kani, the deputy head of Iran’s top security body, told Iranian state television.

Iran has sent the US a nuclear proposal via Qatar, a senior Iranian official told Reuters on Thursday, adding that Washington was reviewing the proposal but that it would be discussed only after Teheran’s demands are met.

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These include sanctions relief, access to frozen assets and war reparations, while Washington insists nuclear issues must feature in initial talks.

In other recent diplomatic moves, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi discussed “efforts aimed at establishing stability in the region” in separate phone calls with his Saudi and Qatari counterparts on Thursday, according to a statement on his official Telegram channel.

He also spoke to his opposite numbers in the United Arab Emirates, Turkey, Kuwait, Cyprus and Jordan.

Mohsen Rezaee, Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, met Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow, according to a statement on Russia’s presidential website.

Rezaee delivered a message from Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei addressed to Putin, Iran’s state-run IRIB reported, without giving more details. BLOOMBERG, REUTERS