A woman walks past a mural bearing the Iranian national flag in Tehran. (October 26)
Iranian negotiators head to Doha for talks on US deal: Axios
Note: AI technology was used to generate this article’s audio.
Qatari negotiators flew back to Doha from Tehran on Friday after a day of discussions on a potential deal between the United States and Iran, with Iranian negotiators joining them on the flight.
Talks are set to continue on Saturday, according to a diplomatic source cited by Axios journalist Barak Ravid.
The session in Tehran lasted about 12 hours.
Qatari negotiators are flying back to Doha from Tehran after a day of talks on a possible deal with the US. Iranian negotiators joining them on the flight back to Doha. Talks will continue on Saturday, a diplomatic source tells me
— Barak Ravid (@BarakRavid) October 30, 2026
Qatari mediators remained in regular contact with the White House throughout the day as they worked to advance negotiations, Ravid reported earlier.
The mediation forms part of ongoing Qatari efforts to bridge differences in the roughly eight-month conflict between the US and Iran.
Qatar has shuttled proposals, including versions of a seven-day confidence-building framework that Iran presented earlier.
Under elements discussed, steps could involve easing restrictions on Iranian ports and oil exports in exchange for measures related to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz and eventual talks on other issues.
Key disagreements persist over sequencing.
Washington has sought to include nuclear matters—such as access for International Atomic Energy Agency inspectors and the status of Iran’s highly enriched uranium stockpile—from the outset of any process.
Tehran has prioritized an end to the US port blockade and relief from oil export sanctions first, while maintaining its position on the nuclear program.
A recent Qatari draft was described by a senior Iranian official as unacceptable.
The latest talks in Tehran were coordinated with the United States, according to officials briefed on the process.
The diplomatic push comes amid regional concerns about possible renewed military action after next week’s US midterm elections.
No breakthrough was immediately reported. Discussions are expected to resume in Doha on Saturday, per Axios.
