Iran and US seek diplomatic path as strike threat rises

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 31 Oct, 18:50 · Archive

Iranian and Qatari mediators held talks in Doha as diplomats sought to avert renewed US strikes after midterm elections.

Iranian negotiators held talks with Qatari mediators in Doha on Saturday to discuss paths out of the conflict in the Gulf. The discussions followed more than 12 hours of negotiations on Friday between Iranian and Qatari envoys in Tehran. According to a source briefed on the negotiations, the talks were being coordinated in regular contact with Washington.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Saturday that President Donald Trump has not decided whether to launch new strikes against Iran but would prefer to resolve the conflict diplomatically. Trump has held off on strikes in recent weeks ahead of midterm elections in which his Republicans are seeking to retain control of Congress. Countries in the region have been anticipating that Trump could restart attacks once the voting concludes.

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei issued a statement on Saturday ordering the armed forces to prepare to respond to any attacks. He stated that 'any level or type of threat must be met with an immediate, impactful, and geographically unrestricted response'. Khamenei said senior commanders had reported high readiness along the Gulf coast, the Strait of Hormuz, the Gulf of Oman, and on Iran's northwestern and southeastern borders. The Iranian military later announced it was taking steps to improve its readiness.

How it is being reported

• Iran envoys meet mediators as US strike threats loomWith a rising threat of US strikes recommencing after the midterm elections, Iran envoys have again sat down with Qatari mediators to discuss a path to peace.The West Australian · 31 Oct, 18:37
• Iran envoys meet mediators as US strike threats loomWith a rising threat of US strikes recommencing after the midterm elections, Iran envoys have again sat down with Qatari mediators to discuss a path to peace.Perth Now · 31 Oct, 18:36

In this story: Iran · United States · Qatar · Donald Trump · Marco Rubio · Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem · Corrections log