Iran Escalates Rhetoric Against US Despite Qatar Talks

Iran has escalated its rhetoric against the United States despite ongoing Qatari-mediated negotiations in Doha aimed at preventing a new conflict, following threats from President Donald Trump of further attacks. Iranian media report that two oil tankers were struck by mines in the Strait of Hormuz and are on fire, with a third hit by projectiles. Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei warned on October 31 that any new US or Israeli attacks would expand the conflict zone, while Tehran threatened to cut internet cables and target American data centers regionally. Iranian parliament is debating leaving the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, with calls to revise nuclear doctrine amid claims that 70% of Iranians support building an atomic bomb. Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is pressing Trump to strike Iran, though Trump appears to be keeping options open until after midterm elections.