Iran mediators meet in Turkey to discuss peace push

• A source with knowledge said the "quad" meetings are aimed at maintaining coordination between the three mediators and Saudi Arabia — the most powerful country in the Gulf, with significant influence on the Trump administration, and a key stakeholder in any future peace deal.
• Having the Saudis inside the tent decreases the risk they will play a spoiler role.

The intrigue: U.S. officials say the Saudis have changed their position about the war several times and presented different positions in public and in private.

• Before the war, Saudi officials publicly said they supported diplomacy, while privately urging the U.S. to take military action.
• Even in recent days, the Saudis told U.S. officials they were concerned about ending the war before the regime was sufficiently weakened.
• At the same time, the Saudis have been telling the mediators they support a deal and want the war to end because their oil and energy infrastructure had been damaged during the war and could sustain further damage if it continues, according to a U.S. source and a second source with direct knowledge.

State of play: President Trump told reporters on Friday afternoon that talks with Iran would continue over the weekend.

• If there are [differences], I'm going to straighten it out... I don't think there's too many significant differences," Trump said.
• Sources tell Axios gaps still remain on some key issues but significant progress has been made.