Regional mediators push to ease US-Iran tensions, revive nuclear talks

Qatar, Pakistan and several other regional mediators are working to reduce tensions between the United States and Iran and preserve negotiations over a nuclear agreement, according to officials from the mediating countries and a U.S. official cited by Axios.

The diplomatic efforts come after President Donald Trump declared on July 8 that the U.S.-Iran memorandum of understanding (MOU) and the ceasefire were "over" and ordered two rounds of airstrikes against Iran. Despite the escalation, U.S. officials say the administration remains focused on reopening the Strait of Hormuz and avoiding a broader conflict.

According to sources involved in the mediation, Qatar, Pakistan, Türkiye, Egypt and Saudi Arabia held multiple telephone conversations with U.S. and Iranian officials on July 8 in an effort to defuse the crisis.

One regional source said the mediators believe the parties had made progress toward a nuclear agreement before the latest escalation and are seeking to prevent the collapse of the MOU. The same source said mediators believe recent attacks on shipping in the Strait of Hormuz were carried out by elements within Iran opposed to the agreement.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told Pakistani military commander Field Marshal Asim Munir that recent U.S. military strikes and Washington's rhetoric violated the terms of the memorandum of understanding, according to a statement posted on his Telegram channel.

"There are extensive diplomatic efforts to first agree with both sides on de-escalation and then set a date for another round of negotiations between the technical teams," one regional source involved in the mediation said.

According to U.S. officials, no new American strikes were carried out against Iran on July 9, despite reports of explosions in southern Iran. One U.S. official said the pause reflected ongoing de-escalation efforts.

President Trump met with his senior national security advisers on July 9 to discuss the situation and possible next steps.

Following the meeting, a U.S. official said the administration remained committed to pursuing a diplomatic solution.

"President Trump made his feelings very clear yesterday in no uncertain terms. Iran's attacks on these innocent vessels are acts of terrorism. The MOU is performance-based, and Iran's actions constitute failed performance at an unacceptable level," the official said.

The official added that the Trump administration is "still committed to finding a resolution, and technical-level talks continue" in an effort to reach a nuclear agreement.

By Sabina Mammadli