Qatar PM meets Rubio, Witkoff in Miami on Iran war talks

Qatar’s Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani held talks in Miami on Saturday with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and White House envoy Steve Witkoff, according to two sources cited by Axios. The meeting was part of ongoing efforts to reach an agreement that would end the war in Iran.

The United States and Iran are currently negotiating a single-page memorandum aimed at ending hostilities and setting the stage for more detailed discussions. By early Saturday afternoon, Washington was still awaiting Tehran’s final response.

Qatar’s behind-the-scenes role

While Pakistan has served as the official mediator between the US and Iran since the conflict began, Qatari officials have been working behind the scenes. American officials consider Doha particularly effective in talks with Tehran, the sources said.

According to two informed sources, Qatar is operating as one of at least three back channels between the two nations. The Qataris are leveraging their relationships with senior commanders of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard, who are involved in Tehran’s decision-making process, to facilitate negotiations with Washington.

On Friday, the Qatari prime minister met with US Vice President JD Vance in Washington. He had originally planned to return to Doha immediately after that meeting but changed course and flew to Miami, one source said. While in Miami, he also contacted the Saudi foreign minister to discuss mediation efforts.

Coordinated mediation push

The sources added that the Miami meeting focused on the path toward a memorandum of understanding to end the war. One source reported that Qatar, Pakistan, Egypt, Turkey, and Saudi Arabia are operating in full coordination to push for a deal.

“The mediators are urging both sides to de-escalate and focus on reaching an agreement,” the source said.