Iran, Qatar hold fresh talks as threat of US strikes looms after midterms

Iranian and Qatari officials held fresh talks in Doha to seek an end to the Gulf conflict. The diplomacy continues as Tehran boosts military readiness and the region fears renewed US strikes.US President Donald Trump and Iran's Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei. (Photo: Reuters)Iranian and Qatari officials held fresh talks on Saturday to explore ways to end the Gulf conflict, as diplomatic efforts continued amid mounting concerns that US President Donald Trump could order new strikes against Iran after this week's American midterm elections.The discussions in Doha came as regional governments anticipated a possible resumption of US military action once voting concludes. Washington has not ruled out further strikes, even as it continues to explore diplomatic options with Tehran.US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Trump had not decided whether to launch fresh attacks but preferred to resolve the conflict through negotiations."Trump would prefer to solve it diplomatically. But I think what the president expresses to you is incredible confidence that if we needed to do something militarily, we would have the ability to do it," Rubio said on Saturday. Trump has held off on further strikes in recent weeks ahead of the midterm elections, which will determine whether his Republican Party retains its narrow majorities in both chambers of Congress.IRAN STEPS UP MILITARY READINESS, WARNS OF RETALIATIONWhile diplomatic contacts continued, Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei instructed the armed forces to remain prepared for any potential attack. "Any level or type of threat must be met with an immediate, impactful, and geographically unrestricted response," Khamenei said in a statement posted on his official Telegram account on Saturday.He said senior military commanders had reported high levels of readiness along Iran's Gulf coastline, around the Strait of Hormuz and the Gulf of Oman, as well as along the country's northwestern and southeastern borders.The Iranian military later announced that it was taking steps to strengthen its readiness.Iran has repeatedly warned that any renewed American or Israeli attack would invite retaliation against US and Israeli targets in neighbouring countries.QATAR STEPS UP MEDIATION EFFORTSSaturday's discussions in Doha followed more than 12 hours of talks between Iranian and Qatari representatives in Tehran on Friday, a source briefed on the negotiations told Reuters. The discussions were being coordinated through regular contacts with Washington.Rubio, speaking in Atlanta on the sidelines of a meeting of foreign ministers from the Group of 20 major economies, declined to specify a timeline for the Qatar-mediated efforts. He said communication with Tehran had continued through direct and indirect channels."There are multiple talks. Talks have actually never stopped," he said.Washington has also made a fresh diplomatic outreach through Vice President JD Vance, who sent a letter to Iranian security chief Mohsen Rezaei earlier this week. The Wall Street Journal reported that the communication was intended to explore the possibility of restarting negotiations.Trump played down the significance of the letter, saying he had authorised it only to discuss the possibility of allowing additional medical supplies into Iran."I said if you want to do that, that's ok. Basically, it's getting supplies in to help people that are not well," he said.COMPETING PROPOSALS COMPLICATE PEACE EFFORTSThe latest diplomatic initiative follows separate proposals from Washington and Tehran that have so far failed to bridge their differences.A week ago, Qatar presented Iran with a seven-day proposal under which both sides would take daily steps to build confidence before moving towards broader peace negotiations, the source briefed on the discussions told Reuters.However, a senior Iranian official told Reuters on Friday that Tehran had not found the proposal satisfactory.Iran has also been pushing its own seven-day plan since September, but Trump has rejected it. The proposal calls on Washington to lift its blockade of Iranian ports, unfreeze Iranian assets and approve an Iranian-backed arrangement for passage through the Strait of Hormuz, after which the strategic waterway would be reopened.Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said in remarks reported by Al Jazeera on Saturday that Tehran was examining Vance's letter. He maintained that Iran's proposal remained the only plan on the table for reopening the strait.IRAN DEBATES NUCLEAR POLICY IF WAR RESUMESMeanwhile, Rezaei said Iran was debating whether to reconsider its longstanding ban on nuclear weapons if hostilities resumed, although no decision had been taken.He also said negotiations over Iran's nuclear programme could not take place unless Washington accepted Tehran's demands.Trump, who launched the war alongside Israel in February, has repeatedly hinted at the possibility of renewed military action. Last week, he urged Israelis ahead of their election to keep his wartime ally, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in power so that the two leaders could "finish the job".With diplomatic contacts continuing even as Iran strengthens its military preparedness, the prospect of fresh US strikes after the midterm elections remains a major concern for countries across the region.- EndsWith inputs from Reuters