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Trump to meet Qatar mediator as Iran war grinds on, no deal expected

newsNov 9, 2026301,227

President Donald Trump will meet Qatar's prime minister, the key mediator between the United States and Iran, in Washington on Monday, the White House said. The session comes more than eight months into the conflict Trump launched alongside Israel, and U.S. officials do not expect an imminent breakthrough to end the war. Trump has downplayed the likelihood of major new military strikes restarting soon while continuing diplomatic contacts, but negotiators have not reported progress toward a ceasefire or final deal. The meeting follows internal Republican finger-pointing over the war's political costs, including Vice President JD Vance drawing blame for midterm losses, a claim Trump said many disliked. Analysts and administration papers outlined that the president faces no easy choices to end a deeply unpopular and strategically complex conflict. For now, Qatar’s mediation keeps channels open but the situation on the ground and in U.S. politics points to continued fighting rather than an immediate settlement.

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