U.S.-Iran talks yield little, raising odds of renewed combat. Axios

Diplomatic efforts led by Qatari mediators to secure a breakthrough between the United States and Iran have stalled, increasing expectations on both sides that a return to major military conflict is growing more likely, Axios reported.

According to three sources familiar with the negotiations cited by Axios, neither side has shown a willingness to budge, leaving Qatari officials increasingly frustrated despite ongoing mediation efforts.

US officials believe US President Donald Trump could order a return to major combat operations following the upcoming midterm elections, Axios noted.

The latest diplomatic push began Monday when Qatari mediator Ali al-Thawadi met in New York for several hours with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and his team to review a two-page Qatari compromise proposal.

The plan sought to bridge the primary divide by addressing Tehran's demand for the lifting of the US naval blockade alongside Washington's demands for Iranian nuclear concessions.

On Monday evening, al-Thawadi traveled to Washington for talks with Trump envoy Jared Kushner and other US officials, a meeting briefly attended by US Vice President JD Vance.

The White House declined to comment on the sessions, Axios reported.

Despite brief morning optimism inside the White House -where officials previously told media outlets, including Axios, that talks were "positive and constructive" and that Trump was open to sanctions relief in exchange for nuclear steps- US President Trump publicly rejected the notion of concessions on Truth Social that evening, stating he offered "nothing" to Iran.

A source familiar with the talks told Axios that no significant movement occurred on Monday.

"It is stuck. The Iranians are asking for things the US can't accept and the US thinks it is winning so there is no need for compromise," the source stated to Axios.

Other regional mediators, including Pakistan and Egypt, urged Tehran to accept nuclear concessions.

However, Iranian officials insisted they would only consider such steps after the US agrees to return to the mid-June memorandum of understanding.