- Trump is still willing to let diplomatic efforts play out and see if a deal is possible. But it’s unclear how much time he’s willing to give.
- In an interview with CBS’s 60 Minutes taped Friday and broadcast Sunday, Trump said he was not looking to escalate the war. “I don’t think there’s any reason to do that,” he said, adding that Iran’s nuclear materials are “buried under thousands of tons of rock.”
- If the president changes his mind and orders new strikes, the US military is ready to act as quickly as possible.
Behind the scenes: The Qatari prime minister is expected to meet separately with Vice President Vance before his meeting with Trump, according to a source familiar with the matter.
- Vance has spent the past two weeks personally involved in indirect talks with Iran, speaking to Al Thani almost daily.
Driving the news: Qatari mediators – along with other regional players such as Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Turkey – continued discussions with the Iranians and the White House on a draft proposal calling for a series of steps over two days to build mutual trust towards a broader deal.
- On day one, the United States would lift its naval blockade and release some of Iran’s frozen funds. In return, Iran would formally invite the International Atomic Energy Agency to send inspectors to bombed nuclear sites, based on an agreement reached in Cairo a year ago, regional sources said.
- On the second day, the Strait of Hormuz would reopen, after which nuclear negotiations would resume, focusing on Iran’s stockpile of highly enriched uranium.
- But the midterm elections have slowed indirect negotiations, according to sources.
State of affairs: Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on Sunday that Iran was still waiting for the US response to the latest proposal.
- “American voters have made their choice. It is time for the White House to make its choice. Our proposal in two days remains valid: Meet the demands, including an end to war on all fronts, and you will see results. Or choose war and watch our alert, battle-hardened warriors rain down on hell,” he wrote on X.
The other side: Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Sunday that indirect negotiations with Iran have yielded little results so far.
- “I wouldn’t say we’re on the verge of a breakthrough,” Rubio said before heading to Paris for a meeting of G7 foreign ministers. “The president would always prefer to resolve this and all issues diplomatically. Sometimes, unfortunately, this is not possible.”
- He added: “So far it hasn’t been very productive, because the Iranian demands are not only unacceptable but, in some cases, outrageous and ridiculous and really unrealistic.”
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