Iran says US talks continue via mediators as Doha draft circulates

The Reuters report published by Al-Monitor said the official gave no details of the draft proposal and that the negotiators left on Sunday. Middle East Eye, citing AFP, reported that Iran said negotiations with the US were ongoing via mediators despite the withdrawal from talks on Sunday. Baghaei said Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi had been in Doha to help exchange messages through Qatari intermediaries. He said the response to a letter from US Vice President JD Vance will be decided by the secretary of the Supreme National Security Council, that Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and Araghchi remain Iran's senior negotiators and that the letter has no new basis. IRNA reported that Mohsen Rezaei, the council's secretary, said Tehran has not yet responded to the letter and that Iran's nuclear doctrine is unchanged. Donya-e-Eqtesad reported that Al Jazeera said Iran is demanding the lifting of sanctions the United States imposed after the collapse of the Islamabad understanding.

Araghchi told Al Jazeera that Iran's conditions are all feasible if Washington seeks a peaceful solution, and that the seven-day plan had become a two-day plan under Qatari and Pakistani proposals, with the strait reopening on the second day. He said Iran has no need for a meeting with a US delegation and that media reports of one were speculation. Khabar Online reported that Tehran wants the naval blockade, sanctions and security guarantees settled before the nuclear file, while Washington does not want to postpone the nuclear issue, and cited The Washington Post as reporting that the Trump administration sees Rezaei as its most important contact in Tehran and that election calculations were behind the peace initiative. Asr-e Iran reported that a message from a meeting of senior military commanders with the Supreme Leader said Washington must first accept Iran's seven conditions and implement them for seven days, after which talks on Hormuz arrangements and the nuclear issue would begin.

Al-Monitor's Reuters report said Iran's initial proposal was rejected by President Donald Trump and that the latest diplomacy comes amid concern the conflict could escalate after Tuesday's midterm elections. It said Trump has said the United States would not launch new attacks before the vote and that talks have been productive, though he has not ruled out further military action. Middle East Eye reported that Russia's Foreign Ministry said reports of new military action against Iran were extremely concerning and that Moscow has called for increased diplomatic efforts. Asr-e Iran reported that the ministry voiced support for mediation and was ready to help find solutions, while Khabar Online and ISNA reported that Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said military adventures would not break Iran's resolve to defend its sovereignty and independence. BBC Persian reported that China's foreign minister said Iran has China's support in defending its sovereignty and security.