Iran envoys in Qatar as Rubio warns of 'another way' if talks fail

Monday, May 25, 2026Developing

Politics Desk

What we know

A high-level Iranian delegation — Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and Central Bank Governor Abdolnaser Hemmati — arrived in Doha on Monday for talks with Qatar's leadership on a potential U.S.-Iran memorandum to end the three-month war, reopen the Strait of Hormuz and unfreeze blocked assets. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, speaking in New Delhi, said Washington had a "pretty solid thing on the table" and would give diplomacy every chance, but that if talks fail the United States would deal with Iran "another way."

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said the sides had reached conclusions on many issues but that "no one can claim" an agreement is imminent, stressing the current focus is ending the war rather than nuclear details. President Donald Trump said any deal must be "meaningful," kept the U.S. naval blockade in force until a signed agreement, and pressed regional partners to join the Abraham Accords as part of the package. Oil prices fell more than 4% on deal optimism even as both capitals played down an overnight breakthrough.

What's confirmed

Reuters/Al Jazeera: Ghalibaf and Araghchi were in Doha Monday for talks with Qatar's prime minister on a potential U.S. deal; Hemmati joined on frozen funds (Reuters/Al Jazeera).
Reuters/NBC: Rubio said the U.S. will secure a good agreement or confront Iran "another way," citing a solid Hormuz-reopening and time-limited nuclear track (Reuters/NBC).
AFP/NBC: Baghaei said conclusions on many issues do not mean an imminent signing; focus remains ending the war, not nuclear fine print (AFP/NBC).
Al Jazeera/NBC: Trump insisted on a meaningful deal, kept the Hormuz blockade until certification, and linked regional Abraham Accords access to the package (Al Jazeera/NBC).

What's still developing

Whether Doha yields language Trump will accept on Hormuz clearance, enriched uranium and asset relief.
How far Abraham Accords demands reshape Gulf and Pakistani buy-in.
Whether the 60-day framework for a fuller peace deal survives Monday's mixed signals.

Sources

Reuters — Rubio says US will either have a good agreement with Iran or deal with it 'another way' link
Al Jazeera — Iranian delegation in Qatar as talks on US ceasefire extend link
NBC News — Iran says no deal 'imminent' despite progress in talks with U.S. link
Euronews / AFP — Iran delegation in Qatar seeks deal on frozen assets and Hormuz blockade link