Sources say U.S.-Iran talks made little progress as Qatar mediation failed to produce a breakthrough

Talks between the United States and Iran made little headway this week despite mediation efforts by Qatar, according to AXIOS, which cited three sources familiar with the negotiations. The report said Qatari mediators tried to push both sides toward a diplomatic breakthrough, but neither side was willing to give ground. The deadlock has reinforced concerns on both sides that military conflict could escalate again, the sources said. U.S. officials believe Donald Trump could order a return to large-scale military action after the midterm elections. Two sources also said Qatari officials plan to keep mediating, even as they have grown increasingly frustrated with both Washington and Tehran. One source said Monday’s talks produced no major progress and had reached an impasse, adding that Iran put forward demands the United States could not accept, while Washington saw itself as holding the upper hand and saw no need to compromise. The report added that other regional mediators, including Pakistan and Egypt, have also urged Iran to make concessions on the nuclear issue. Another informed source said Iran’s position was that it would only consider such concessions if the United States agreed to restore the memorandum of understanding signed in June.