Qatari mediators held more than 12 hours of talks in Tehran on Friday in an effort to secure steps that could restart direct negotiations between Washington and Tehran, diplomatic sources said.
The discussions were expected to continue in Doha on Saturday, Axios reported.
A diplomatic source said Qatar was in regular contact with the White House during Friday’s talks, adding that there had been “positive progress” but that discussions were ongoing.
The mediators are seeking reciprocal steps to bring the two sides back to direct talks on Iran’s nuclear programme and other issues, the source said.
A US official said negotiations had been held up by competing demands. The Trump administration wants Iran to make nuclear concessions before talks resume, while Tehran has called for Washington to lift its naval blockade, release frozen funds and allow Iranian oil sales, the official said.
Qatar is also urging Iran to permit United Nations inspectors to visit nuclear sites damaged in strikes, as a confidence-building measure that could be met with some sanctions relief, the official said.
There are differing views within US President Donald Trump’s inner circle over whether to pursue diplomacy or further military action, US officials said.
Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth and Secretary of State Marco Rubio are sceptical that an agreement can be reached with Iran’s current leadership, while Vice President JD Vance and Trump envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner favour resuming negotiations, one official said.
Trump told reporters on Friday that Iran wanted to talk, adding: “We have time, frankly. It’s a war, but it is not a typical war.”
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who is leading a US economic pressure campaign against Iran, has urged Trump to give the initiative time to work rather than rush back into combat, the official said.
Regional countries including Egypt, Turkey, Iraq, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have also urged Tehran to resume negotiations before the US midterm elections, a regional source said.
One US official said Trump might be more inclined to order a major military operation if Republicans suffer heavy losses in the elections. A White House official said the results would not affect the president’s decision-making on Iran.
Saudi and Turkish leaders have urged Trump to allow more time for diplomacy, while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has lobbied for a joint operation against Iran after the election, according to the report.
