Diplomatic Stalemate: Iran and US Continue Negotiations Amid War Fears
Tehran’s delegation departed Qatar, but messages continue to flow through Doha as regional leaders urge caution before the U.S. midterm election results settle.
By Pedro Barnes ·
The Middle East stands on the edge of a potential new war, with fears mounting that the United States and Israel may strike Iran in the immediate aftermath of Tuesday's U.S. midterm elections.
Two Iranian officials speaking on condition of anonymity confirmed that their delegation has left Qatar after days of discussions. However, they stated that communication with Washington persists through the Qatari mediator. The diplomatic track aims to prevent fresh attacks, with Tehran proposing that the Strait of Hormuz opens fully to shipping within two days if the U.S. meets specific conditions.
U.S. President Donald Trump told reporters on Sunday evening that he held a productive call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Saturday. Trump said the two discussed Iran but offered no further details. Netanyahu’s office remained silent on the conversation. Since Netanyahu’s bloc lost its parliamentary majority in last week’s election, the prime minister has publicly addressed only the vote, raising concerns that he seeks renewed conflict to maintain power in an emergency government.
Iran has intensified its public messaging while maintaining diplomatic channels. New Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, who has not appeared publicly since the Feb. 28 strikes that killed his father, met with military chiefs. He instructed that the response to any threat from the U.S. or Israel be immediate, without geographic limits, and urged an expansion of the target list.
Security Chief Mohsen Rezaei warned on social media that any attack would result in devastating blows using new weapons. In a state television interview, Rezaei described the shifting tone from the U.S. as a positive sign. He noted that Iran received a letter from Vice President JD Vance last week but had not yet responded. Rezaei also said there was no decision to alter Iran’s nuclear doctrine, despite internal questions about the policy if attacked again.
Regional leaders expressed concern at the Manama Dialogue in Bahrain. United Arab Emirates presidential adviser Anwar Gargash stated that the positions of the U.S. and Iran are far apart. He warned that if these stances are not bridged, the region must worry about the worst. The UAE has faced over 3,000 drone and missile attacks since the war began, most of which were intercepted. Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty called a second round of escalation more dangerous and destructive.
China announced that a special envoy will visit Iran, Oman, and Saudi Arabia in early to mid-November. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning confirmed the trip on Monday. President Xi Jinping told Oman’s sultan that the Gulf should not become an arena for great-power rivalry, and both nations called for a return to dialogue.
