Iranian envoys meet Qatari mediators as US strike threat looms after midterms

Iranian negotiators met Qatari mediators in Doha on October 31 to discuss paths out of war in the Gulf, as diplomats seek to avert renewed fighting after the US midterm elections this week. The talks followed over 12 hours of discussions in Tehran on Friday, with coordination through regular contacts with Washington. Iran's supreme leader ordered armed forces to prepare for any attacks, warning of an "immediate, impactful, and geographically unrestricted response." The US has hinted at possible strikes after the elections, though Vice President JD Vance recently wrote to a senior Iranian official about restarting talks. Qatar proposed a seven-day trust-building plan, which Tehran deemed unsatisfactory, while Iran's own plan to reopen the Strait of Hormuz remains rejected by Washington.