Qatar-mediated US–Iran talks continue in Doha: what we know
Iranian negotiators met Qatari mediators in Doha for a third day; Trump said the talks were "going fine," while Iran favoured diplomacy but said it was ready to respond to any attack.
Qatar-mediated negotiations between Iran and the United States are continuing in Doha. According to officials, Iranian negotiators held a third consecutive day of talks with Qatari mediators on Sunday, aimed at ending the US–Israeli war. Earlier, Qatari mediators had also held talks in Tehran aimed at restarting direct US–Iran negotiations.
What Trump said
US President Donald Trump said the latest negotiations were "going fine," but added that the US still had several Iranian targets to "take care of." Trump has repeatedly said the United States would not launch new attacks on Iran before the 3 November midterm elections, but has not ruled out military action afterwards.
Iran's position
Iranian leaders reiterated that they favour diplomacy but are ready to respond to any new attacks by striking US and Israeli targets in neighbouring countries. According to Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, the sides also discussed a two-day plan to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
Why it matters
The talks come amid concerns that the conflict could escalate again after the 3 November US midterm elections. The two sides' statements are contradictory: Washington calls the diplomacy productive but has not ruled out the military option, while Tehran says it is ready to negotiate but will not back down under pressure.
Official statement
The negotiations are going fine; but we still have several Iranian targets to take care of.
— Donald Trump, President of the United States
