Iran and US remain far from agreement despite diplomatic push

Iran and the United States remain far from reaching an agreement to end the war, a senior Iranian official told Reuters on Tuesday, despite intensified diplomatic efforts to prevent a potential resumption of hostilities after the U.S. midterm elections. The U.S. launched "defensive" strikes on Iran's Qeshm Island overnight, targeting surface-to-air missiles, while Iran's Revolutionary Guards said they shot down an American MQ-9 drone east of the Strait of Hormuz. Qatari mediators traveled to Tehran on Monday to discuss a draft agreement, with Iran demanding its conditions be met before nuclear talks can begin. Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said the ball is now in Washington's court, warning that Iran's response to any U.S. miscalculation would be unpredictable and not bound by geographical limits. Meanwhile, Iran continues regional dialogue with Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan to establish new security arrangements, as Houthi attacks on Saudi targets have escalated.