Qatar says US-Iran mediation gaining momentum, progress made in negotiations

Qatar said on Tuesday that its mediation between the United States and Iran has gained momentum and that progress has been made in the negotiations. Ibrahim bin Sultan Al Hashmi, Director of the Department of Media and Communication at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, made the remarks at the ministry's weekly media briefing, The Peninsula Qatar reported.

The Qatar Tribune, citing QNA, Bastille Post and Iran International also carried accounts of the briefing, each adding different details.

What we know

• The Peninsula Qatar reported that Al Hashmi said mediation efforts had gained momentum over the past few days and weeks, in coordination with regional and international partners and the concerned parties.
• The Qatar Tribune reported that Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani met US Vice President JD Vance in Washington on Monday, then held a closed-door meeting with President Donald Trump at the White House.
• According to the Qatar Tribune, the White House meeting was described as "positive" and focused on narrowing the gaps between the two sides.
• The Peninsula Qatar reported that Al Hashmi said details would be disclosed once the final shape and features of the agreement are settled.
• Iran International reported that Al Hashmi warned the continued closure of the Strait of Hormuz, with winter approaching, was worsening the global energy crisis, and called for freedom of navigation to be restored as soon as possible.
• Bastille Post reported that Al Hashmi said Qatari officials had visited Tehran and held consultations with regional and international partners before the discussions in Washington, and that diplomatic contacts continued despite media speculation about possible military strikes.

What we don't know yet

• Bastille Post reported that Qatar cautioned it was too early to predict when an agreement could be reached, and the sources give no timeline.
• The terms of any agreement have not been made public, and Al Hashmi said details would come only once its final shape is settled, according to The Peninsula Qatar.
• Bastille Post reported that Mohsen Rezaei, Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, said on Tuesday that no talks are currently underway between Iran and the United States and that the United States has not given a clear response to the plan. The sources do not reconcile this with Qatar's account of progress.
• Bastille Post also reported that Rezaei said the Strait of Hormuz will not reopen unless Iran-proposed conditions are met. None of the sources says when navigation might be restored.