Photo: U.S. Department of State / Wikimedia Commons / Public domain
WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump met Qatar’s prime minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, at the White House on Monday to discuss efforts to reach a deal with Iran. The meeting was held behind closed doors and lasted about 45 minutes, according to a source familiar with it. No agreement and no readout from the White House had been reported. This follows our earlier report on the planned meeting.
The source said the talks centered on negotiations with Iran. Before seeing Trump, the Qatari prime minister also met Vice President JD Vance. Qatar has led mediation in the nine-month war, and Washington is seeking upfront Iranian concessions on its highly enriched uranium and access for international inspectors. Iran says talks depend on its own conditions, including release of frozen assets and sanctions relief.
Trump said Sunday in a TV interview that he does not currently see “any reason” to escalate the war. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the same day that talks are not “on the verge of a breakthrough.” It was also reported Monday, citing Turkey’s intelligence chief, that Qatar will host Vance and a senior Iranian security official for talks next week. That has not been confirmed by the U.S. or Iran.
Why it matters: Qatar is the main channel between Washington and Tehran, and the outcome affects whether the war de-escalates and whether the Strait of Hormuz reopens. Still unknown: what was agreed or proposed in the room, whether Trump gave Iran more time, and whether next week’s talks will take place.
File photo: Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani in Doha in 2024. It is not from Monday’s meeting.
JBizNews Desk | Washington, D.C.
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