Qatari officials confirmed on Thursday that senior American envoys held talks with mediators in Doha earlier this week but declined to engage directly with Iranian representatives. The development underscores the continued impasse in diplomatic efforts to revive the 2015 nuclear deal, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).
According to a statement from Qatar’s foreign ministry, the US delegation met with facilitators from Qatar, Oman, and the European Union to discuss the potential for renewed negotiations. The Iranian side was present in the Qatari capital but was not included in the meetings. Washington has insisted that it would only return to the negotiating table if Tehran first complies with its JCPOA commitments, a condition Iran has rejected.
The talks come amid heightened tensions in the Persian Gulf, with Iran continuing its uranium enrichment programme far beyond the limits set by the deal. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) reported last week that Iran’s stockpile of enriched uranium was 18 times the allowed amount. Diplomatic efforts have been stalled since April 2021, when direct talks between the US and Iran paused after the election of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi.
Qatar has positioned itself as a key intermediary, hosting several rounds of shuttle diplomacy. “We remain committed to facilitating dialogue between all parties,” said a Qatari official. “But a breakthrough requires direct engagement.” The US State Department declined to comment on the specifics of the Doha meetings, reiterating its position that Iran must first end its nuclear escalations.
Analysts suggest that the US refusal to meet Iran follows a strategic calculation, aiming to maintain pressure on Tehran while avoiding the appearance of concessions. “The Biden administration is wary of repeating what it sees as the mistakes of the Obama era, when direct talks were seen as rewarding Iranian intransigence,” said Dr. Lina Khatib, director of the Middle East Institute at SOAS University of London. “But without direct talks, the window for diplomacy may be closing.”
Iran’s foreign ministry spokesman Nasser Kanaani accused the US of “lacking the political will” to resolve the issue. “The American delegation came to Doha not to negotiate but to impose conditions,” he said. “Iran is ready for genuine talks, not ultimatums.”
The developments in Doha coincide with a broader re-evaluation of US policy in the region. The administration of President Joe Biden has sought to recalibrate relations with Gulf states, including Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, which have expressed concerns over the nuclear deal and Iran’s regional activities.
As the diplomatic standoff continues, the risk of a wider conflict remains a preoccupation for international observers. The IAEA’s board of governors is due to meet next month to discuss Iran’s non-compliance, a session that could lead to a referral to the United Nations Security Council and the re-imposition of sanctions.
