Foreign & Public Diplomacy

Welcome back to World Brief, where we’re looking at indirect U.S.-Iran peace talks, alleged Russian and Ukrainian drone strikes on civilians, and the political fallout of Spain’s migrant crisis.

Status of Negotiations

Qatari mediators confirmed on Tuesday that the United States and Iran are actively negotiating a peace deal to end the monthslong conflict. Indirect talks are in “very progressive stages,” Qatari foreign ministry spokesperson Majed al-Ansari said. “I can tell you that language has been drafted on a possible agreement and is being circulated between the parties.”

Welcome back to World Brief, where we’re looking at indirect U.S.-Iran peace talks, alleged Russian and Ukrainian drone strikes on civilians, and the political fallout of Spain’s migrant crisis.

Status of Negotiations

Qatari mediators confirmed on Tuesday that the United States and Iran are actively negotiating a peace deal to end the monthslong conflict. Indirect talks are in “very progressive stages,” Qatari foreign ministry spokesperson Majed al-Ansari said. “I can tell you that language has been drafted on a possible agreement and is being circulated between the parties.”

It is unclear what the new drafts demand. However, Ansari told reporters on Tuesday that “our focus right now is avoiding escalation, reopening the strait, and reopening the door for diplomacy between the parties,” adding that resuming direct talks is vital to inking a final deal.

Still, simply confirming that negotiations are taking place marks a major change in diplomatic efforts, as just 24 hours ago, Tehran had denied engaging in peace talks with anyone but Oman. That claim had prompted U.S. President Donald Trump to accuse Iranian leadership of being “unbelievably duplicitous,” as the White House had called off a massive military strike the day before to reportedly allow such talks to occur.

According to Ansari, Qatar and Pakistan (both of which have helped mediate past talks) are now working with Oman to facilitate dialogue. Tehran has........

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