QATAR PERSPECTIVE

Doha, May 22, 2026. Pakistani Chief of Staff, Field Marshal Asim Munir, arrived in Tehran on Friday as part of mediation efforts to end the war triggered by Israel and the United States on February 28 last. This is his second visit to Tehran in this role as mediator: Islamabad had already contributed to obtaining a temporary ceasefire on April 8, before hosting high-level talks between Washington and Tehran since 1979, on April 11 and 12.

According to Iranian sources cited by Al Jazeera, Qatar's role in this process is qualified as 'vital, important and fundamental'. This recognition places Doha at the heart of a regional diplomatic setup where Islamabad is the first-line interlocutor, with a structuring Qatari support in the background. Anonymous Pakistani sources indicate that Munir will address the Iranian-American talks, regional peace, and other 'important issues' during this visit.

The Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Esmaeil Baghaei, estimated that the presence of high-ranking Pakistani officials in Tehran means that the parties have reached 'a turning point or a decisive situation'. However, he warned that the gaps between Tehran and Washington remain 'deep and significant', and it would be premature to speak of an imminent agreement. An Iranian source confirmed that a ceasefire on 'all fronts' is the indispensable prerequisite for any formal negotiation, with priorities being the end of the conflict, the lifting of the American blockade, and the stabilization of the Strait of Hormuz. The release of frozen assets and the lifting of sanctions on oil exports are not yet included in the discussions.

In Washington, Marco Rubio conceded to NATO foreign ministers gathered in Helsingborg, Sweden, that there had been 'a slight progress' in the talks, adding that he did not want to 'exaggerate' and that the conversations 'continued'. The Atlantic Alliance also discussed the role it could play in monitoring the Strait of Hormuz after the end of the conflict. Donald Trump, on the other hand, stated that 'Iran is eager to conclude an agreement', while reiterating his red line: Tehran will not be able to keep its enriched uranium arsenal.

It is precisely this point that crystallizes the deepest tensions. Iran would hold approximately 440 kg of enriched uranium at 60%, a threshold still below the 90% needed to manufacture a nuclear weapon, but high enough to reach this level quickly, according to nuclear experts.