United States President Donald Trump is scheduled to host Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani for private discussions at the White House on Monday. The talks occur as the administration continues to weigh a two-day peace and nuclear proposal presented by Iran via Qatari mediators. According to sheikh Mohammed, Mediation efforts continue and that the US has intentions and willingness to “take steps towards finding a solution”, after Trump confirmed on Friday that the White House was talking to Iranian representatives and that the team had “made a lot of progress with Iran”.
An unnamed official reported that Vice President JD Vance will also meet with Sheikh Mohammed, who serves as Qatar’s foreign minister and has frequently facilitated communication between Tehran and Washington. This diplomatic push follows recent suggestions from Trump that the US could initiate a new wave of military strikes. And that it was just waiting for orders from Washington, axios quoted a US official as saying CENTCOM was preparing for the resumption of major military operations in Iran.
Tehran has insisted that any substantive negotiations on its nuclear program must be preceded by meeting seven specific demands. Iran has been unwilling to hold negotiations over its atomic activities with the Trump administration until the latter agrees to several core conditions that Tehran has been demanding be part of any ceasefire agreement.
These include the removal of US sanctions imposed after the collapse of a June memorandum of understanding in Islamabad, the release of frozen Iranian funds—including those held in Qatar—and the restoration of oil waivers.
Additionally, Iran is calling for a reduction in US regional military presence, a formal agreement on new shipping routes in the Strait of Hormuz, and an immediate cessation of the war on all fronts, specifically citing Israeli military operations in Lebanon. A global oil chokepoint, worked out by Iran and Oman be formally recognised and that all other routes be closed, tehran also requested that the new shipping route in the Strait of Hormuz. Calling for a regional security arrangement free from the involvement of extra-regional powers, araghchi held talks with 12 regional counterparts over 48 hours last week. Meanwhile, has carried out limited strikes on Iran, including against its air defences, at least twice over the past week, the US military.
According to the International Atomic Energy Agency, Iran currently holds 440.9kg (972 pounds) of uranium enriched to 60 percent purity. This represents a significant technical proximity to the 90 percent purity required for weapons-grade material, a sharp increase from the 3.67 percent cap established by the 2018 nuclear deal that Trump exited. Iran’s enrichment boost came after Trump withdrew from the nuclear deal in 2018. The deal had capped enrichment at below 3.67 percent, signed under President Barack Obama.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi warned on Sunday that Tehran will “rain down hell” if US attacks resume. He previously outlined a two-day framework where the US implements measures on the first day, followed by the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and the restoration of normal navigation on the second day. Security Chief Mohsen Rezaei also issued a direct warning to Trump, stating that any new aggression would trigger a severe response.
Conversely, Trump maintained on Sunday that the US has identified 38 infrastructure targets, including bridges, to strike if diplomatic efforts fail. He noted that three American aircraft carriers remain “fully locked and loaded” in the region. While Trump indicated that reaching a strong agreement is “highly unlikely” to result in further bombardment, he previously remarked on Thursday that the US might need to “destroy” the remainder of Iran. He told reporters in Florida on Sunday that while the war was unpopular, Trump “ identified a very real threat ” in Iran and had worked to stop it from pursuing a nuclear weapon. On Thursday, Trump told reporters the US may have to “destroy” the rest of Iran, adding that people will “know soon enough” if he acts.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio adopted a firmer tone, describing Iranian demands as “outrageous and ridiculous” while noting that the administration is not close to a breakthrough. He emphasized that the US maintains a right to “defensive” action, particularly regarding threats to forces or shipping routes. Recently, the US military disabled a commercial vessel attempting to bypass a naval blockade on Iranian ports. Rubio added that although the US president prefers a diplomatic solution, Iranian demands are “not just unacceptable, but in some cases, outrageous and ridiculous and really not realistic”. “I wouldn’t say we’re at the verge of a breakthrough,” he added.
Reports suggest internal pressure on the president from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and CENTCOM commander Brad Cooper to intensify military operations.
Despite these tensions, Sheikh Mohammed has expressed optimism, stating that the US maintains a willingness to explore solutions.
The IRGC’s Aerospace Force reiterated its combat readiness, with Brigadier-General Ali Belali stating that Iranian weapons are “secured for years to come” and that any mistake by the enemy will lead to a “devastating and severe” outcome.
