The Wall Street Journal reported that a diplomatic delegation from Qatar visiting Tehran was instrumental in stopping days of reciprocal attacks between the US and Iran. The report noted that following this contact, US President Donald Trump abandoned some of his planned harsh retaliations against Iran.
According to sources, the escalation was also accompanied by developments following the downing of a US Apache helicopter. The report stated that Trump ordered retaliatory strikes against Iran after this incident and threatened attacks that could also target civilian infrastructure.
In response, Iran targeted US bases in the Gulf and US allies in the region. Thus, the days of reciprocal attacks shifted to a different course through diplomatic contacts.
New Drafts in Mediation
According to the report, a critical threshold was crossed on Wednesday. The Qatari delegation returned from Tehran with a new peace draft, while some Pakistani officials told Trump that an agreement was near. Following this, Trump canceled the severe attacks he had promised that evening.
However, it was not conveyed that all issues between the parties were resolved. A Qatari official said there are still significant differences between Iran and the US regarding billions of dollars in frozen assets, control over the Strait of Hormuz, and the fate of Iran's highly enriched uranium stockpile.
Mediators are said to be close to an agreement that would reopen the Strait of Hormuz and ease some US sanctions, but more difficult issues like the nuclear program and Iran's overseas assets are planned to be deferred.
Cautious Statements from Both Sides
The process does not appear fully clear on the US side either. The report mentioned that Vice President JD Vance plans to travel to Geneva to sign a memorandum of understanding, with technical talks to continue later in Islamabad.
Trump reportedly became angry over a leaked document perceived as favorable to Iran and instructed his team to reject narratives suggesting the deal is weak or that Iran would receive money without fulfilling its obligations.
A senior US official stated that Iran will not receive sanction relief or economic benefits without concrete steps on its nuclear program. The official added that broader sanction relief could be considered if Tehran dismantles its nuclear facilities, ends its enrichment program, and cuts support to proxy armed groups like Hezbollah in Lebanon.
On the Iranian side, a cautious tone prevailed. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Ismail Bekaï said the internal review of the agreement text is in its final stage. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi had previously indicated that a digital memorandum of understanding with the US could be signed in the coming days.
