Rubio, Witkoff Hold Secret Miami Talks with Qatari PM to Advance Iran War End Deal

Secretary of State Marco Rubio and White House envoy Steve Witkoff met with Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani in Miami on Saturday to discuss efforts to finalize a deal ending the war in Iran, according to two sources with knowledge of the meeting.

The U.S. and Iran are negotiating a one-page memo to conclude the conflict and establish a framework for broader talks. Qatar has emerged as a key mediator in these discussions.

As of early Saturday afternoon, the U.S. was still awaiting Iran’s latest response to the proposal.

Behind-the-Scenes Mediation by Qatar

While Pakistan has served as the official mediator between the U.S. and Iran since the war began, Qatari officials have played an active behind-the-scenes role, according to U.S. officials. The White House views Qatar as particularly effective in negotiations with Iran.

Prime Minister al-Thani met with U.S. Vice President Vance in Washington the day before the Miami meeting. Originally scheduled to return to Doha, he altered his plans and traveled to Miami instead. During his time in Miami, he also spoke with the Saudi foreign minister to coordinate mediation efforts.

The State Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Next Steps in the Negotiation Process

The sources indicated that the Miami meeting focused on securing a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to end the war. One source noted that Qatar, Pakistan, Egypt, Turkey, and Saudi Arabia are working in tandem to push for an agreement.

"The mediators are urging both parties to de-escalate and focus on getting a deal."