Iran pressed to make nuke concessions as massive post-midterms strikes loom
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A photograph taken during a media tour organized by Iranian authorities shows a mosque they say was damaged in a U.S. missile strike months ago. Photo: Atta Kenare/AFP via Getty Images
Regional mediators led by Qatar are trying to reach a diplomatic deal to restart negotiations between the U.S. and Iran and prevent the resumption of war after the midterm elections, three U.S., Israeli and regional sources say.
- The Qataris are working to convince Iran to allow UN inspectors to visit its bombed nuclear sites in return for some sanctions relief from the U.S.
Why it matters: A renewed bombing offensive appears likely shortly after the midterms without a last-minute deal. IDF chief of staff Gen. Eyal Zamir spoke on Monday with CENTCOM commander Adm. Brad Cooper to coordinate ahead of potential attacks.
- Such an operation is expected to include a week of massive strikes on Iranian leadership, energy, nuclear and infrastructure targets, U.S. and Israeli officials say.
What he's saying: President Trump told Axios in a brief interview Wednesday that negotiations with Iran are taking place through mediators but stressed that he doesn't know whether they'll bear fruit.
- "We need to finish the job — either through a deal or another way — we will find out if negotiations can succeed," he said.
- "While our Brave Armed Forces are fully prepared to defend the Homeland, Iran continues to give diplomacy a chance to succeed," Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on X Wednesday.
Behind the scenes: The mediation efforts are being led by Qatar, with the support of Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Turkey, sources say.
- Qatari negotiator Ali al-Thawadi visited Tehran earlier this week for talks with Iranian officials about a potential deal with the Trump administration.
- A regional source briefed on the talks said the Qataris presented ideas for how to bridge the gap between the U.S. demand that Iran give up its enriched uranium stockpile and Iran's insistence that the U.S. first lift its naval blockade and release Iran's frozen funds.
- The regional source and a U.S. official said the mediators are telling Iran that accepting the proposals may be the only way to avoid major attacks after the midterms.
- Saudi, Turkish and Pakistani security officials reinforced that message during a visit to Tehran several days ago.
- The Iranians responded that they will seek Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei's approval for the ideas in the next several days, the regional source said.
- After the visit to Tehran, Saudi officials told the White House that the Iranians are concerned about a possible U.S.-Israeli bombing operation after the midterms, per a U.S. official. The Saudis asked Trump not to rush into war and to allow more time for negotiations.
Zoom in: One idea under discussion is returning to the agreement that Iran reached with the International Atomic Energy Agency last year in Cairo.
- The September 2025 agreement allowed UN inspectors to resume visits to Iran's nuclear sites. It was suspended after the UN Security Council reimposed "snapback" sanctions on Iran a month later.
- IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi told the UN Security Council Tuesday that reviving the Cairo agreement could provide a framework for restoring inspections of Iranian nuclear facilities damaged in U.S. and Israeli strikes.
- If Iran agrees to allow UN inspectors to visit its nuclear sites, it could receive waivers to sell oil and see some of its frozen funds released to buy food and other humanitarian goods, the regional source said.
- "There is some movement. We are waiting for the Iranian response," that person said. "The idea is that the Iranians will be able to say that they didn't give up the enriched uranium up front, and the U.S. will be able to say that it got some nuclear concessions from Iran."
The other side: The regional source said the White House told mediators it will weigh in on the proposed deal after learning whether Iran accepts it.
- Trump discussed Iran with Secretary of State Marco Rubio and White House envoy Steve Witkoff during a trip to Texas on Air Force One Tuesday. On Wednesday, he discussed Iran with his national security team as part of his intelligence briefing, U.S. officials say.
- "As the President stated, they have been systematically destroyed, both militarily and financially, and unless they change their ways, rapidly, we will soon finish the job," a White House official said.
- "The United States is in a very strong position with control of the Strait of Hormuz and the Iranian economy collapsing," the official added. "Iran has been decimated, and one way or the other, the conflict in Iran will be over very soon."
