World · Middle East · 7 hrs ago
U.S. weighs renewed strikes on Iran as mediators pursue talks
Trump and Netanyahu reportedly spoke by phone as the United States prepared for possible new strikes on Iran.
Trump said the U.S. wanted to hit one or two more sites, including Pickaxe Mountain, which Western intelligence has linked to storing nuclear material.
The U.S. has not struck Iran since September 1, and officials have warned Gulf allies that attacks could resume after the U.S. midterm elections.
Iran's leaders say their forces are ready to respond to any attack, and Tehran has threatened U.S. and Israeli targets in neighbouring countries.
Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said there are no plans to meet U.S. officials, but described Washington's effort to open dialogue as a positive step.
Qatari and Pakistani mediators are consulting with Iran as Tehran reviews proposals and its conditions for renewed negotiations.
Iran wants sanctions relief and fewer U.S. forces in the region, as well as the release of frozen Iranian assets; no agreement or decision to hold talks has been announced.
Iranian and Qatari officials held consultations as regional mediators sought to revive a ceasefire and avert renewed fighting.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said there were no current plans for meetings with US officials, although he called Washington’s outreach a positive step.
Iran says talks depend on conditions including sanctions relief, the release of frozen assets and a reduction of US forces in the region.
US President Donald Trump said negotiations were going fine, while reports said Washington was preparing for possible renewed strikes after the US midterm elections.
Iran’s foreign minister said the country was prepared for all scenarios and its forces were at a high level of readiness.
- Who
- Iranian and Qatari officials held consultations; the United States is pursuing dialogue with Iran.
- What
- Mediators discussed paths toward renewed negotiations and avoiding a return to fighting. Iran set conditions for talks.
- When
- October 31 and November 1, 2026.
- Where
- Tehran and Doha, Qatar.
- Why
- Mediators are seeking to revive a ceasefire and avert renewed fighting; Iran says its conditions must be met before talks.
US administration
Iranian government
Dialogue and military action
US administration
Trump said negotiations were going fine and that the US wanted to destroy one or two more targets in Iran; reports said Washington was preparing possible renewed strikes.
Iranian government
Araghchi called US outreach a positive step but said there were no plans for meetings with US officials and Iran was prepared for all scenarios.
Conditions for talks
US administration
The sources do not state US conditions for talks.
Iranian government
Iran says talks depend on sanctions relief, the release of frozen Iranian assets and a reduction of US forces in the region.
Qatari mediators were in Tehran for consultations, according to Al Jazeera.
Iranian and Qatari envoys held talks in Tehran, and an Iranian delegation travelled to Doha for further consultations.
Araghchi said Iran had reviewed a letter from US Vice President JD Vance and said there were no plans for meetings with US officials.
Trump said the US wanted to destroy one or two more targets in Iran, while reports said Washington was preparing for possible renewed strikes after the midterm elections.
- Mediators
- Qatar and Pakistan
- Iranian foreign minister
- Abbas Araghchi
- US vice president
- JD Vance
- Iran's stated conditions
- Sanctions relief, release of frozen assets and reduction of US forces in the region
- Potential US strike timing
- As early as November 4, according to MSNOW citing three Gulf Arab officials
- Ceasefire-related proposal
- Qatar proposed reducing implementation to five days; Iran said a proposal had shortened it to two days
13 sources
Trump says US still has ‘one or two targets’ in Iran
Trump holds call with Netanyahu amid preparations to renew strikes on Iran — report
Krieg im Nahen Osten – Iran knüpft Gespräche mit den USA an sieben Bedingungen
Iran has no plans for talks with U.S.: Foreign Minister
Iran demands reduction in US forces in region as condition for settlement — top diplomat
Iran FM says US outreach a 'positive step' as delegation in Qatar for talks
Diplomatie: Berichte: Neue Bewegung in Friedensbemühungen mit dem Iran
47 مليار دولار كلفة حرب إيران.. طهران بين الدبلوماسية والضربة الأمريكية
What people are saying
The American side’s attempt to open the door to dialogue and understanding more broadly is a positive step.
We see no need to meet with the Americans at this stage.
We are prepared for all scenarios.
We still have to take care of, I would say, one or two sites, but we can do that in 10 minutes.