Iran Appeals to Qatar, Oman to Revive Nuclear Talks

Latest Developments

• Iran Asks Qatar, Oman to Mediate With the U.S.: Amidst ongoing Israeli strikes in Iran, Tehran approached Qatar and Oman, requesting their diplomatic services. According to June 15 reports, Iran’s leadership wants Doha and Muscat to work with Washington to broker calm and revive nuclear negotiations. Saudi Arabia is also reportedly working behind the scenes on its own diplomatic effort.

• Sixth Round of Nuclear Talks Canceled: A sixth round of nuclear talks between the United States and Iran was scheduled to take place in Oman on June 15. Omani Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi confirmed that the talks had been canceled. An unnamed senior American diplomat told Israeli media that the Iranians “either failed to understand or deliberately ignored [President Trump’s] warnings,” adding that “they tried to stall through negotiations” and “refused to compromise on the most basic issue that could have proven their claim they are not seeking a bomb, halting uranium enrichment on Iranian soil.”

• Trump Administration Open to Talks: On June 15, President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social that “Iran and Israel should make a deal and will make a deal.” However, the White House did not clarify how the Trump administration is progressing toward that goal. A senior administration official said on June 14 that Washington is “committed to the talks and hope[s] that the Iranians will come to the negotiating table soon,” emphasizing that Iran must agree to fully halt its enrichment activities.

FDD Expert Response

“After three days of crippling Israeli strikes, Iran dialed Qatar to appeal for help. Consider this Tehran’s phone a friend. Over the years, Qatar has supported the Islamic Republic by enabling its terror proxies, namely Hamas, helping the regime withstand economic pressure, and allegedly even sending funds to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. It was a mistake to trust Qatar to mediate with Hamas, and it would be a mistake two times over to trust Doha to mediate with Tehran.” — Natalie Ecanow, Senior Research Analyst

“Oman is no neutral actor — it’s Tehran’s strategic partner, a host and an enabler of the Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen, who have conducted daily attacks on Israel. This is not a broker that can be trusted to mediate between Israel and Iran.” — Ahmad Sharawi, Research Analyst

FDD Background and Analysis

“9 Myths About Iran’s Uranium Enrichment Program,” by Andrea Stricker

“Iran’s Nuclear Disarmament: The Only Deal that Protects U.S. Allied Security,” by Orde Kittrie, Andrea Stricker, and Behnam Ben Taleblu

“U.S. Must Pressure Qatar Not to Release Frozen Iranian Oil Revenues,” by Natalie Ecanow and Janatan Sayeh

“Oman is Supporting the Houthis: It Should Be Held to Account,” by Jonathan Schanzer and Ahmad Sharawi

“‘Not Conclusive’: Iran and U.S. Hold New Round of Nuclear Talks Rome,” FDD Flash Brief