The US and Iran could return to fighting after US midterms, having made little progress towards a diplomatic end to the conflict, Axios reported on Wednesday.
Qatari mediators attempted to foster a diplomatic breakthrough this week; however, neither side was willing to compromise, three sources familiar with the matter told Axios. The sources explained that Qatari officials are growing increasingly frustrated with both the US and Iran, and their unwillingness to budge during negotiations.
A diplomatic stalemate increases the likelihood of a return to fighting, with some US officials telling Axios that US President Donald Trump may order a return to combat operations after the US midterm elections in November.
Qatari mediator Ali al-Thawadi met with Araghchi and his team for several hours, Axios reported. Two sources told Axios they discussed a two-page Qatari compromise proposal aimed at lifting the US naval blockade and securing Iranian nuclear concessions.
A US official told Reuters the talks were expected to focus on an amended version of a seven-day proposal Iran presented on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly.
On Monday, a source told Axios that there had been no significant movement in the talks, explaining that “it is stuck.”
“The Iranians are asking for things the US can’t accept, and the US thinks it is winning so there is no need for compromise,” the source added.
In contrast, Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council Mohsen Rezaei said that Iran had conveyed its terms to the US, but Trump was “incapable of making a decision,” Axios reported.
“Trump is trapped in a quagmire in which he can neither negotiate nor fight,” Rezaei said.
Trump, however, told reporters on Tuesday that Iran was “doing very badly.”
“I don’t know if they are ready to give up yet. They will give up. This is to stop a nuclear weapon. Iran will not have a nuclear weapon.”