Iranian team in Doha as Qatar steps up mediation to end Iran-US war

DOHA: Diplomatic efforts have intensified to end the ongoing war between the United States and Iran and to restart negotiations. Iranian negotiators have reached Doha for talks with Qatari mediators.

According to an official familiar with the talks, more than 12 hours of negotiations were held in Tehran on Friday, before the Iranian delegation arrived in Doha. The aim was to find an acceptable way to end the war.

The official said the Qatari mediation team remained in constant contact with US officials during the talks. Efforts to bring both countries back to the negotiating table are continuing.

Sources said the Qatari mediators are trying to get the United States and Iran to agree on confidence-building measures that could be put into effect within the next few days.

These measures include a proposal to give United Nations inspectors access to inspect Iran’s nuclear facilities. In return, the United States could consider easing some sanctions. However, differences remain between the demands of the two countries.

The United States wants concessions on Iran’s nuclear programme from the very start of the talks. Tehran demands that the US naval blockade of Iranian ports be lifted first, frozen assets be restored and restrictions on oil exports be eased.

According to the report, the Qatari mediators hope for positive progress in the talks, and discussions are likely to continue in Doha. Meanwhile, Pakistan, Turkey, Egypt, Iraq and Saudi Arabia are also active through diplomatic efforts to end the war in the region.