Qatari diplomats return to Tehran to broker peace plan between US and Iran

Mediators from Qatar have traveled back to Tehran in an effort to advance a negotiated resolution between the United States and Iran, according to reports by CBS News and international news agencies. The diplomatic mission arrives amid rising tensions in regional waterways and continued warnings from Washington that major strikes could resume.

A source familiar with the discussions told CBS News that the Qatari envoys arrived on Friday carrying revisions to a draft peace plan. The framework was initially submitted earlier in the week, with an official response from Iranian leadership anticipated over the weekend. A source indicated that some signs of progress have emerged, with the negotiations coordinated alongside U.S. officials.

The diplomatic push is designed to prevent a potential escalation in American military strikes, which President Donald Trump has repeatedly threatened in recent weeks. Trump acknowledged high-level communications involving the Iranian government, though he downplayed reports regarding a letter sent by Vice President JD Vance to senior Iranian figure Mohsen Rezaei. While several reports characterized the communication as an attempt to reignite comprehensive peace talks, Trump stated to reporters that the outreach was strictly focused on facilitating the delivery of medical supplies into Iran. Iranian media reported that Tehran has not yet answered the letter.

Significant gaps remain between the two sides. Washington is seeking to include Iran's nuclear program from the outset of any comprehensive negotiations. In contrast, Iranian leaders have insisted that the United States must initially lift its naval blockade of Iranian ports and roll back sanctions impacting its energy exports. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated that Tehran continues to explore diplomatic avenues and hopes to use prior proposals as a foundation for a ceasefire agreement.

The diplomatic effort unfolds against ongoing disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz. Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps announced on Friday that two oil tankers were stopped following unspecified incidents along what Tehran views as an unauthorized southern transit corridor promoted by the U.S. Iranian authorities alleged the vessels had turned off their tracking equipment. The previous day, Iranian military officials reported that four ships had hit sea mines, while the United Kingdom's Maritime Trade Operations center separately reported that a projectile struck a commercial tanker in the strait.

Meanwhile, the U.S. Department of Defense updated its casualty statistics, reporting that two additional service members died from noncombat causes. The total number of U.S. military deaths associated with the conflict now stands at 23, including 11 hostile deaths and 12 resulting from accidents or illness. Further south, a Saudi-led military coalition stated that it intercepted and destroyed an unmanned drone launched toward the Mecca area by Houthi forces, though a Houthi military spokesperson denied carrying out strikes inside Saudi borders on Friday.