The nuclear file complicates the chances of ending the war, despite Washington and Tehran exchanging amendments to a framework document for an agreement that includes opening the Strait of Hormuz. Washington wants to dilute the enriched uranium or transfer it abroad, while Tehran said that removing it “is not on the table in any way,” and stipulated that the blockade and sanctions be lifted and the war stop before any nuclear negotiations.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio described the Iranian demands as “outrageous, ridiculous and truly unrealistic,” ruling out a breakthrough soon.
US President Donald Trump and his Vice President, J.D. Vance, received Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdul Rahman Al Thani, to discuss mediation efforts with Tehran.
Chinese envoy Zhai Jun from Tehran began a tour that includes Oman and Saudi Arabia, and said that “force cannot solve problems.” Tehran welcomed Beijing's role in reducing tensions, and the communications coincided with strikes on Qeshm, and Tehran's announcement of targeting 11 tankers in Hormuz.
Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, Iran's chief negotiator with the United States, accused Israel of seeking to drag Washington into an open war with Iran, on a day in which Qatari mediation intensified to end the war.
Qalibaf wrote on the “X” platform, on Monday evening: “The Israelis are seeking day and night to drag America into an endless war with Iran. A quagmire from which no president, current or future, whether Republican or Democrat, will be able to emerge.
Hours earlier, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi made a similar comment on President Donald Trump’s talk about voters’ alienation from Israel. Araqchi wrote: “The American president clearly realizes that the vast majority of Americans are disgusted with Israel... They are tired of Israel deceiving the American administrations and dragging them into endless wars.”
Trump had spoken, in an interview with the “60 Minutes” program on CBS, about “an incredibly strong aversion to Israel” among the reasons for the Republicans’ loss in the midterm elections, in addition to the war on Iran and the rise in gasoline prices.
In Israel, Defense Minister Yisrael Katz said on Sunday that his country’s mission towards Iran “has not yet been accomplished,” and that Tehran is still seeking to possess a nuclear weapon. Iran denies this.
Trump told CNN that resuming war on Iran is “extremely unlikely” as long as negotiations on the nuclear program and reopening the Strait of Hormuz make progress, while keeping the military option in place.
On Monday, Trump met with Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani at the White House, in a meeting that lasted about 45 minutes and focused on “negotiations with Iran,” according to a journalist on the Axios website. No official statement was issued about the meeting.
A senior Iranian security official denied, to the Tasnim Agency affiliated with the Revolutionary Guards, reports of an upcoming meeting between Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council Mohsen Rezaei and US Vice President J.D. Vance in Doha, and said that Tehran will not negotiate “unless the American side takes a practical step within the framework of the seven conditions.”
Tehran adheres to the “two-day proposal” to reopen the Strait. Araqchi said that the proposal is still “viable” if the Iranian conditions are implemented, and that the White House must make its decision. Foreign Ministry spokesman Ismail Baghaei described it as “the pinnacle of good faith,” in response to US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who described some Iranian conditions as “outrageous and ridiculous,” ruling out an imminent breakthrough.
On Monday, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian revealed that Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei had ordered an end to the “no war, no peace” situation. Baghaei said that removing enriched uranium from Iran is “not on the table in any way,” and is one of the main American demands.
The communications coincided with American strikes on Qeshm, and Tehran’s announcement of targeting 11 tankers in Hormuz within ten days.
US President Donald Trump said on Monday that Iran is “effectively finished militarily,” and that Washington sees “positive momentum” toward ending the war, ruling out the need for new military action “at this stage,” hours after his meeting with Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdul Rahman Al Thani at the White House.
Trump wrote on his platform, “Truth Social,”: “We see positive momentum toward ending this conflict, and we will make sure that the interests of the United States are protected at all times.” He said that new strikes on Iran are “highly unlikely,” despite Washington’s readiness to launch them.
Trump said that he had an “excellent dialogue with the Prime Minister of Qatar,” and that the United States was ready to resume military strikes on Iran “if necessary.” But he said that he was not in a rush, and that he was satisfied with the naval blockade imposed on Iran, adding: “We will see where things go.” "I'm ready."
He added that several countries “prefer to maintain the status quo,” meaning “continuing the greatest naval blockade in history and Operation New Iron Gate.”
Trump surprisingly visited the press briefing room in the White House after his meeting with the Qatari Prime Minister, and said: “Iran, militarily, is effectively finished. We are only maintaining the status quo,” according to the Associated Press.
He added: “At this stage... military action does not seem absolutely necessary. But we are fully prepared and ready to act if the situation changes for any reason.” He continued: “I think the matter will end fairly soon,” and said that another aircraft carrier had arrived “loaded to the brim with new equipment.”
He said that Iran's possession of a nuclear weapon is a "non-negotiable point." “They understand and accept that,” he added. They do not admit that they accept it, and they will tell you that they do not accept it, but they accept it 100 percent.”
He was asked why he did not announce the end of the conflict, and he replied that Washington must ensure that Iran’s neighbors “will not be harmed.” He said they are “a lot safer than they were six months ago, because Iran has been largely decapitated, but it is still a little bit of a Middle East bully.” He added: “We want a long-term solution, not a short-term solution,” referring to ensuring the neutralization of the Iranian nuclear program.
Trump described Iran as a “failed state” with inflation at 301 percent and “does not pay the salaries of its army and guards.” He said that its naval and air forces had “ended,” and that its military manufacturing capacity had “decreased by about 85 percent,” although it was still producing “limited numbers” of missiles and drones.
“They are talking to us, and they are being very polite,” he said. “There is a good chance this will end.” He continued: “I cannot guarantee anything, but if we have to return, we are ready.”
Axios reported that Trump stopped short of declaring an end to the war, but his statements were “the most advanced” in this direction since February.
Trump had told CNN on Sunday that the resumption of strikes was “extremely unlikely” if negotiations made progress and Iran signed a “strong agreement,” but he pointed out that Washington had identified targets in Iranian infrastructure, including 38 bridges, that it would strike if operations resumed.
Last week, the US military carried out limited strikes on Iran at least twice, including air defenses, and on Saturday it disabled a commercial ship that it said attempted to violate the naval blockade of Iranian ports.
“Positive discussions”
Trump's meeting with the Qatari Prime Minister lasted about 45 minutes, and focused on "negotiations with Iran," according to Axios. He was joined by Vice President J.D. Vance.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdul Rahman wrote on the “X” platform: “I value the positive discussions on reaching an agreement and bringing peace to the region.”
In Paris, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said, after talks with his counterparts in the Group of Seven, that the Republicans' loss in the midterm elections will not change the administration's foreign policy, and that Trump is determined to end the conflicts with Iran and between Russia and Ukraine. Rubio said on Sunday that the two sides were not “on the verge of achieving a breakthrough.”
Iranian skepticism
In Tehran, Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council, Mohsen Rezaei, wrote on the “X” platform in English: “The war on Iran has already destroyed the American government. But Washington is floundering like a desperate gambler. Drop your papers. Stop making up fake news about fake conversations. Stop denying the new order in West Asia. “It is time to submit to the seven conditions that Iran has repeatedly set.”
Mustafa Najafi, advisor to Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council Mohsen Rezaei, wrote on the “X” platform that despite the “extensive, intense and unprecedented” efforts of the mediators, “no plan, specific timetable or session” for negotiations between Iran and the United States has yet to be decided.
He added that any potential agreement “will not be achieved unless Iran accepts its conditions and declared demands, including preserving its nuclear rights.”
In another tweet, Najafi wondered why Trump was now willing to make concessions that he had previously rejected, “after he lost the elections.” He believed that the “optimistic assumption” was that Washington feared the consequences of continuing the war, and that Trump was looking for an agreement that would promote him as a victory.
But he said that the “pessimistic, and perhaps realistic, assumption” is that Trump is “buying time” to complete his military readiness and reduce oil prices “before starting another round of war.” He added: “If a good agreement is achieved, it should be welcomed, but the experience of the two recent wars requires that developments be evaluated with caution.”
