Trump meets Qatar’s prime minister as efforts to end Iran war continue

US President Donald Trump met Qatar’s Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, in Washington as part of diplomatic efforts to end the Iran war. The meeting took place amid energy supply disruptions and concerns over tanker safety in the Gulf, while US and Gulf officials expressed caution about the chances of reaching an agreement soon.

Al Thani was reported to have met Trump on Monday, 9 November. No information was released about the outcome of the meeting or any steps agreed by the two sides. Qatar’s prime minister had also visited Tehran the previous week.

Blockade and sanctions at the heart of negotiations

Since the start of the war, Qatar has acted as a mediator, relaying messages between the parties and putting forward proposals to bridge their differences. Al Thani was also scheduled to meet US Vice-President JD Vance ahead of his talks in Washington.

Iran’s proposal to end the war calls for the lifting of the US blockade on its ports, the removal of some sanctions and a halt to the bombing. In return, Tehran proposes ending its own blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, followed by talks on its nuclear programme and other sanctions.

The US administration has repeatedly rejected the plan. In remarks on Sunday, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said he did not believe a diplomatic breakthrough was imminent. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei, meanwhile, defended the proposal on Monday as the most reasonable offer on the table.

Regional uncertainty continues

Anwar Gargash, a senior official in the United Arab Emirates, also said a comprehensive political settlement between the US and Iran appeared difficult to achieve and that people should prepare for prolonged uncertainty.

As diplomatic contacts continued, Iranian state media reported that the US had struck Qeshm Island overnight. A local official speaking to the Fars News Agency said vital infrastructure and services had not been affected. The US did not comment on the reports.