Qatar Prime Minister, a Backchannel Mediator Between the U.S. and Iran, Meets with U.S. Vice President JD Vance
- Input
- 2026-05-09 08:36:40
- Updated
- 2026-05-09 08:36:40
[Financial News] Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, the prime minister of Qatar, who has been quietly mediating talks between the United States and Iran, visited the United States on the 8th local time and met with U.S. Vice President JD Vance.
According to U.S. media reports on the 9th, the Qatari prime minister traveled to Washington, D.C., on the morning of the 8th solely to meet with Vance and left the city immediately after the meeting.
Pakistan has formally mediated the ceasefire talks between the United States and Iran, but Qatar has also remained active behind the scenes. U.S. officials say The White House views Qatar as an effective mediator in talks with Iran.
The White House is waiting for Iran's response to a one-page memorandum aimed at advancing talks to end the war. On the 8th, United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio said he expected Iran to send a reply later that day.
Qatar serves as one of at least three unofficial channels between the United States and Iran. It is known to use its contacts with senior commanders of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), which is involved in Iran's decision-making process. Qatar is coordinating its efforts with Pakistani mediators, and the Qatari prime minister spoke with Pakistan's prime minister on the 7th before departing for Washington, D.C.
Qatar was involved in mediating talks between the United States and Iran before the war in June last year, and it also took part before the outbreak of the current war in Iran.
Meanwhile, the United States is demanding limits on Iran's uranium enrichment and a reduction in its military activities in the Middle East. Iran, in turn, is calling for recognition of its right to develop nuclear technology and for the lifting of economic sanctions. The issue of control over the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for global oil shipments, is also a major point of contention.
soup@fnnews.com Reporter Lim Su-bin Reporter