Iran Diplomacy: U.S. and Tehran Trade Warnings as Strait of Hormuz Tensions Rise
Iranian officials say talks continue via Qatar, while Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei orders an expansion of military targets and the U.S. weighs a post-midterm strike.
By Isaac Medina ·
The Middle East stands on the brink of renewed all-out war as the United States and Israel consider strikes on Iran following the U.S. midterm elections.
Two Iranian officials told AP that their delegation departed Qatar after days of talks. They said communication with Washington continues through the Qatari mediator. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because the negotiations are sensitive.
Tehran has widened its threats while waiting for a U.S. response to a specific proposal. The plan would fully open the Strait of Hormuz to shipping within two days if Washington meets several conditions.
U.S. President Donald Trump spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Saturday. Trump told reporters on Sunday that the call was "very good." He said they discussed Iran but provided no further details. Netanyahu has not commented on the conversation. His office remained silent even as the prime minister focuses public remarks on his recent loss of a parliamentary majority.
Iran's new supreme leader, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, met with military chiefs to define the country's defensive posture. He ordered that the response to any threat from the U.S. or Israel be immediate. He said the response should have no "geographic limits." He also urged an expansion of the list of potential military targets.
Khamenei has not appeared in public since Feb. 28. On that date, Israel and the U.S. launched opening strikes that killed his father, the previous supreme leader.
Mohsen Rezaei, Iran's security chief, warned on the social platform X that any attack would result in "devastating blows" using new weapons. In an interview with state television, Rezaei said the tone from the U.S. has "completely changed." He called the letter sent last week by U.S. Vice President JD Vance a "very good sign." Rezaei said he has not yet responded to that letter.
Rezaei stated that Iran has not decided to change its nuclear doctrine. He noted that some Iranians question if the doctrine should shift if the country faces another attack. Tehran maintains that its nuclear program is peaceful. Washington wants to include the nuclear issue in new talks. Iran prefers to discuss the matter later.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi visited Turkmenistan on Monday. He said the final outcome of the diplomatic efforts depends on the answers the United States provides to Iranian questions.
Commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz faced more attacks during October. It was the busiest month for reported assaults since March. At the Manama Dialogue security summit in Bahrain, United Arab Emirates presidential adviser Anwar Gargash said the region does not want another round of confrontation. He acknowledged that U.S. and Iranian stances are far apart. He warned that if those positions are not bridged, observers must worry about the worst.
Gulf nations have spent billions of dollars to boost defense capabilities since the war began. Iran targeted the UAE with more than 3,000 drones and ballistic missiles. Most were intercepted. Egypt's Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty warned that a second round of escalation will be more dangerous and destructive.
China plans to send a special envoy to Iran, Oman, and Saudi Arabia in early to mid-November. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning announced the move on Monday. Chinese President Xi Jinping told Oman's sultan that the Gulf region should not become an arena for great-power rivalry.
