Regional mediators scramble to prevent U.S.-Iran deal from collapsing
Axios
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Qatar, Pakistan and other regional mediators are trying to de-escalate tensions between the U.S. and https://www.axios.com/world/iran" target="_blank">Iran and revive negotiations on a nuclear deal, according to two sources from the mediating countries and a U.S. official.
Why it matters: While President Trump announced on Wednesday that the U.S.-Iran memorandum of understanding (MOU) and the ceasefire were "over" and ordered https://www.axios.com/2026/07/08/us-strikes-iran-targets-strait-of-hormuz-second-day" target="_blank">two rounds of airstrikes, he is https://www.axios.com/2026/07/09/trump-iran-strait-hormuz-battle" target="_blank">focused on reopening the Strait of Hormuz and still wants to avoid a return to an all-out war with Iran.
- The mediators think that, regardless of the recent escalation, the parties made progress toward a nuclear deal in earlier rounds of talks and want to prevent https://www.axios.com/2026/06/17/read-full-us-iran-deal-memorandum-understanding" target="_blank">the MOU from collapsing.
- A regional source from one of the mediating countries said the mediators believe the https://www.axios.com/2026/07/07/iran-resumes-hormuz-attacks-us-officials" target="_blank">recent Iranian attacks in Hormuz were initiated by elements inside the Iranian regime that oppose the MOU and want to undermine it.
Behind the scenes: Qatari, Pakistani, Turkish, Egyptian and Saudi officials have conducted multiple phone calls on Wednesday with both U.S. and Iranian officials in an effort to calm down the situation, the sources said.
- Iran's Foreign Minister https://www.axios.com/2026/06/12/iran-deal-us-ceasefire-signing" target="_blank">Abbas Araghchi told Pakistani military commander Field Marshal https://www.axios.com/2026/05/22/pakistan-munir-iran-deal-trump" target="_blank">Asim Munir that the U.S. attacks and rhetoric were violations of the MOU, according to a statement on his Telegram channel.
- "There are extensive diplomatic efforts to first agree with both sides on de-escalation and then set a date for another round of negotiations between the technical teams," one regional source involved in the mediation said.
State of play: After two days of exchanges of fire between the U.S. and Iran, Thursday was much calmer.
- Despite reports in some Iranian media outlets regarding explosions in southern Iran, U.S. officials said the U.S. military didn't conduct any new strikes on Thursday.
- One U.S. official said it was a result of the de-escalation efforts.
What they are saying: President Trump held a meeting on Thursday afternoon with his top national security team about the tensions with Iran and the way forward.
After the meeting a U.S. official said the Trump administration is "still committed to finding a resolution, and technical-level talks continue" to reach a nuclear deal.
- "President Trump made his feelings very clear yesterday in no uncertain terms.
Iran's attacks on these innocent vessels are acts of terrorism.
The MOU is performance-based, and Iran's actions constitute failed performance at an unacceptable level", the U.S. official said.