President Trump will meet Qatar's Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani at the White House on Monday to discuss a ceasefire and the resumption of nuclear negotiations with Iran.
The big picture: Sheikh Mohammed is the key mediator between Washington and Tehran. Diplomatic activity across the Middle East surged after Tuesday's midterm elections, with Iran's foreign minister speaking to counterparts from nine countries in 48 hours.
- Trump told CNN on Sunday it is "highly unlikely" he will order more strikes on Iran if talks make "substantial progress." He added he would prefer to avoid destroying Iranian infrastructure: "The hardest thing to build is a bridge."
Yes, but: Secretary of State Marco Rubio struck a harder tone, telling reporters that Tehran's demands to date are "unacceptable" and in some cases "outrageous and ridiculous," according to Bloomberg.
- On Friday, Trump confirmed the U.S. carried out "minor strikes" on Iran's Qeshm island in the Strait of Hormuz, and CENTCOM said it disabled a ship that attempted to breach the naval blockade.
What's next: Qatar has pushed new proposals in recent days. Whether Monday's meeting produces a framework for broader talks could determine whether the conflict escalates or moves toward a freeze.
Why it matters: About 20% of the world's oil transits the Strait of Hormuz. A deal or a breakdown in talks Monday will move crude prices and could affect gasoline costs heading into the holiday season.
