Iran Seeks Diplomatic Exit from War as Trump Strike Threat Looms After Elections
Iran is negotiating with Qatar mediators to find peace as the US threatens new strikes after this week's elections.
Iranian negotiators held talks in Doha on Saturday with Qatari mediators, following more than 12 hours of discussions in Tehran on Friday, as diplomats race to avert fighting after the US midterm elections.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said President Trump has not decided whether to launch new strikes on Iran, but would prefer to resolve the conflict diplomatically. Trump has held off strikes ahead of voting where his Republicans are trying to keep control of Congress.
Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei issued a statement ordering the armed forces to be prepared to respond to any attacks, with commanders reporting high readiness along the Gulf coast and borders.
Iran wants Washington to lift port blockades, free up assets and approve an Iranian route through the Strait of Hormuz. The US and Qatar proposed a seven-day trust-building plan that Iran rejected as not good enough.
- Doha on Saturday, Tehran on Friday
- Talks location
- More than 12 hours
- Tehran discussion length
- Marco Rubio, Secretary of State
- US official position
Why it mattersWhether diplomacy holds or fighting restarts will determine the scale of regional conflict and global energy security for months ahead.
AustraliaEscalation in the Gulf could affect oil prices at Australian petrol pumps and disrupt trade routes Australian exporters depend on.
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