Iran and the US are still far from reaching a deal to end their conflict, a senior Iranian official said on Tuesday. The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, stated that mediator Qatar is stepping up efforts to bridge differences and prevent a renewed escalation after the US midterm elections. The conflict, launched by the US and Israel in February, has raised fears of further flare-ups.
The US carried out "defensive" strikes on Iran's Oeshm island overnight, targeting surface-to-air missiles used against US assets, a US official said. However, another official noted that the strikes appeared limited and did not signal a return to major combat operations. US President Donald Trump renewed threats of possible military action on Tuesday, stating that he is not looking to "kill lots of people" but would do so if necessary.
Qatar has intensified mediation efforts, with Qatari mediators traveling to Tehran on Monday night to discuss a draft US-Iran deal. The senior Iranian official stated that Tehran's conditions must be met if the US wants the Strait of Hormuz reopened. These conditions include waiving oil sanctions, ending the US naval blockade, and releasing frozen Iranian funds. Mohsen Rezaei, secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, later said the US response to Iranian demands "was not convincing".
Rezaei added that Washington "must fully and explicitly address Iran's seven conditions and act upon them" for the Strait of Hormuz to be reopened. Qatar's foreign ministry spokesperson Majed al-Ansari stated that both the US and Iran are reviewing proposals put forward by mediators. Al-Ansari expressed hope that a deal could still be reached to pave the way for future negotiations.
An official briefed on the talks said feedback from Washington and Tehran is expected within the next 36 hours. A senior Iranian official stated that there is no deadline for exchanging messages with Washington through mediators or reviewing responses. The official also stated that Tehran would not accept Washington's "excessive demands" and that nuclear talks could begin only after Iran's conditions are met.
Iranian officials have raised the prospect of striking bases beyond the region used to launch attacks on Iran. Parliament speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf stated that Tehran's response to any US miscalculation would be unpredictable and unconstrained by geography. The head of Iran's armed forces general staff, Ali Abdollahi, said Iran's military is updating target lists that include US and Israeli assets.
Alongside indirect exchanges between Tehran and Washington, regional powers are pursuing diplomatic efforts to prevent further escalation. Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araqchi stated that talks with Saudi Arabia are continuing to seek new regional security arrangements that would exclude foreign military involvement. Senior officials from Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan met Iranian counterparts in Tehran last week, the first such high-level contacts since August.
Key points
- Iran and US still far from deal to end conflict
- Qatar stepping up mediation efforts
- Tehran sets conditions for US to meet before nuclear talks can begin
