Biden Adviser Meets Qatari Leaders for Israel-Hamas Negotiations

President Joe Biden’s chief Middle East advisor recently engaged in discussions in Doha with key Qatari leaders about achieving a cease-fire and facilitating a hostage exchange between Israel and Hamas. These talks also addressed the Qatari prime minister’s recent discussions with Iran’s president in Tehran.

White House senior advisor Brett McGurk met with Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, Qatar’s Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, following the prime minister’s meeting with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian in Tehran on Monday. These diplomatic engagements are occurring alongside efforts to mediate a cease-fire in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, with recent negotiations transitioning from Cairo to Doha.

It remains unclear why the negotiations moved from Cairo to Doha and whether this change will influence the outcome. However, an Israeli official confirmed that an Israeli delegation would also travel to Doha on Wednesday to continue talks.

The discussions come at a time of heightened tensions between Israel and Iran, as well as with groups like Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Houthis, all of which receive support from Tehran. Iran has pledged retaliation against Israel following the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Iran last month.

Additionally, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei expressed willingness to resume talks with the United States concerning Iran’s advancing nuclear program, suggesting no harm in negotiating with an adversary. This openness coincides closely with the Qatari prime minister’s visit to Iran.

The backdrop to these discussions includes strained U.S.-Iran relations following the U.S.’s withdrawal from the 2015 nuclear deal under former President Donald Trump, a deal that Biden has expressed interest in reviving. Since the deal’s abandonment, Iran has significantly advanced its uranium enrichment efforts.

Pezeshkian, a reformist politician who was recently elected following the death of his predecessor in a helicopter crash, is seen as closely aligned with former Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif. Zarif was instrumental in crafting the 2015 nuclear accord that lifted sanctions against Iran in return for severe restrictions on its nuclear activities.