Iranian negotiators met with Qatari mediators in Doha for a third consecutive day on Sunday to discuss a potential end to the ongoing U.S.-Israeli war on Iran. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi stated that the talks are "ongoing and progressing," though he noted that no final conclusion has been reached regarding a proposed "two-day proposal." The discussions are being coordinated through regular contact with Washington.
The diplomatic efforts follow an eight-month conflict that has disrupted global oil supplies and spilled over across the Middle East. Qatari mediators held initial discussions in Tehran on Friday before moving the sessions to Doha on Saturday. The talks coincide with the lead-up to the U.S. midterm elections on November 3, amid concerns from various officials that the conflict could escalate following the vote.
On Saturday, Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei ordered the nation's armed forces to be prepared for any attack, leading to a later announcement of increased military readiness. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that while President Donald Trump prefers a diplomatic resolution and has not decided on further strikes, military action remains an option. Araqchi recently stated that negotiators have developed a proposal that could see the Strait of Hormuz reopened within two days of reaching a potential agreement with Washington.
The outcome of these negotiations affects global energy markets and residents across the Middle East. For consumers, the potential reopening of the Strait of Hormuz—a critical maritime chokepoint—could stabilize oil prices, which slipped more than 1% on Sunday as news of the talks emerged. Conversely, the Iranian economy has faced significant domestic strain, with official figures from September showing year-on-year inflation reaching nearly 90%.
The scale of the conflict's impact is further reflected in related regional theaters, such as Gaza, where strikes reported on Sunday killed at least eight people. For U.S. voters and federal officials, the timing of the negotiations is linked to the November 3 midterm elections. President Trump has stated that no new attacks will be launched before Tuesday’s vote, but he has not ruled out further military action thereafter.
A diplomatic resolution would set a precedent for Qatari-led mediation in U.S.-Iran relations, potentially averting a broader regional war that Iran has warned would involve strikes on U.S. and Israeli targets in neighboring countries. If a "two-day proposal" is accepted, the immediate change would be the restoration of shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. For now, the next steps depend on whether negotiators can reach a final conclusion in Doha before the U.S. election or if the military preparations lead to further escalation.