Axios: Qatar mediation makes little progress as US-Iran standoff deepens

Efforts by Qatar this week to broker a diplomatic breakthrough between the United States and Iran have made little progress, with neither side showing willingness to compromise, according to three sources familiar with the talks cited by Axios.

The stalemate has strengthened concerns that renewed military conflict between the two countries is becoming more likely. U.S. officials believe President Donald Trump could order a return to major combat operations after the U.S. midterm elections.

Qatari officials are expected to continue their mediation efforts, but two sources said they are becoming increasingly frustrated with both sides.

Qatari mediator Ali al-Thawadi met Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and his team in New York on September 28 for several hours. A source familiar with the meeting said they discussed a two-page Qatari compromise proposal.

According to two other sources, the proposal sought to address Iran's demand for the lifting of the U.S. naval blockade and Washington's demand for concessions from Tehran on its nuclear programme.

Later on September 28, al-Thawadi held talks in Washington with Trump envoy Jared Kushner and other U.S. officials. Vice President JD Vance attended part of the meeting.

U.S. officials briefed several media outlets, including Axios, saying the talks were "positive and constructive" and that Iran "indicated they are flexible on the nuclear issues."

The officials also said Trump was willing to offer Iran sanctions relief and release frozen funds in exchange for concrete steps to scale back its nuclear programme.

However, several hours later, while Qatari officials were still at the White House, Trump posted on Truth Social that he had offered nothing to Iran.

One source said there had been no significant movement in the talks on September 29.

"It is stuck. The Iranians are asking for things the U.S. can't accept and the U.S. thinks it is winning so there is no need for compromise," the source said.

Other regional mediators, including Pakistan and Egypt, have also urged Iran to accept nuclear concessions. However, according to another source familiar with the discussions, Tehran said it would only consider such concessions after Washington agrees to return to the June memorandum of understanding.

By Sabina Mammadli