Vance meets Qatari mediator as U.S. awaits peace plan response

As the U.S. awaits the Iranian response to the draft agreement to end the war, Vice President Vance met Friday with one of the key mediators, Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed Bin Abdul Rahman al-Thani.

Why it matters: While Pakistan has been the official mediator between the U.S. and Iran since the beginning of the war, the Qataris have continued working behind the scenes. The White House views them as especially effective in negotiations with Iran, U.S. officials say.

• The Qatari prime minister traveled to Washington solely for his meeting with Vance on Friday morning. He left Washington right after.

Driving the news: The White House is waiting for Iran's response to a one-page memorandum of understanding (MOU) to end the war and set a framework for more detailed nuclear negotiations.

• Secretary of State Rubio told reporters on Friday that he expected Iran to send its response today.
• "We'll see what their response entails. The hope is it's something that can put us into a serious process of negotiation. I hope it's a serious offer. I really do," Rubio said.

Behind the scenes: Several weeks ago the Qataris resumed their behind-the-scenes mediation efforts.

• According to two sources with knowledge, the Qataris are functioning as one of at least three back channels between the U.S. and Iran.
• The Qataris are using their contacts with senior Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps generals involved in Iran's decision-making in negotiations with the U.S., the sources said.
• The Qataris are coordinating their efforts with the Pakistani mediators. The Qatari prime minister spoke to his Pakistani counterpart on Thursday before heading to Washington.

Catch up quick: The Qataris were involved in mediation during negotiations between the U.S. and Iran before the war in June 2025 and prior to the current conflict.

• While the Omanis were the official mediators, senior Qatari officials attended most of the meetings and supported the talks behind the scenes — including at the final meeting between the parties in Geneva two days before the war started.
• The Qataris were involved in diplomatic efforts to end the war in June after they were attacked by Iran.
• Iran attacked Qatar again in the current war with missiles and drones. Qatar downed Iranian fighter jets and retaliated with its own strikes on Iranian targets, U.S. officials said.
• For some time, the Qataris told the U.S. that because of the Iranian attacks they would not continue to mediate between the U.S. and Iran, a regional source said.
• The U.S. pressed the Qataris to resume their mediation efforts. President Trump even raised it with the Emir Sheikh Tamim al-Thani, the source said.

What they're saying: The Qatari foreign ministry said in a statement that Vance and al-Thani discussed the mediation efforts between the U.S. and Iran.

• "During the meeting, the Prime Minister stressed the necessity for all parties to respond positively to the ongoing mediation efforts, in a manner that would open the way for addressing the root causes of the crisis through peaceful means and dialogue, and lead to reaching a comprehensive agreement that achieves lasting peace in the region," read the Qatari statement.