Iran and Qatar Enter Third Day of Doha Negotiations

Iranian negotiators met with Qatari mediators in Doha on Sunday, marking the third consecutive day of discussions intended to end the war between the US, Israel, and Iran. An official briefed on the sessions confirmed the ongoing nature of the talks to Reuters.

The diplomatic effort is proceeding against a backdrop of tension ahead of the November 3 US midterm elections. President Donald Trump stated that the United States will not initiate new attacks on Iran before the vote. He described the current talks with Tehran as productive, although he indicated that military options have not been fully eliminated for the period following the election.

Abbas Araqchi, the Iranian foreign minister, characterized the negotiations as ongoing and progressing on Sunday. He stated that Tehran is prepared for both defense and diplomacy. Araqchi told state media that discussions regarding a two-day proposal were continuing, but he noted that no final conclusion had yet been reached.

According to an interview cited by Al Jazeera on Saturday, Araqchi said that Iranian and Qatari negotiators had developed a specific plan. This proposal would reopen the Strait of Hormuz within two days of a potential agreement with Washington.

Marco Rubio, the US secretary of state, said on Saturday that Trump has not made a final decision regarding new strikes. Rubio added that the president would prefer to resolve the conflict through diplomatic channels. The eight-month conflict has continued to disrupt global oil supplies and cause instability across the Middle East.

Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, Iran’s supreme leader, ordered the armed forces to be prepared for any attack on Saturday. The military subsequently announced steps to strengthen its readiness. Iranian officials have repeatedly stated they would respond to new attacks by striking US and Israeli targets in neighboring countries.

Qatari mediators visited Tehran on Friday to hold discussions with Iranian officials. They moved the talks to Doha on Saturday. An official said the talks are being coordinated through regular contacts with Washington.