Qatar mediates marathon Iran-US talks as US midterm vote nears

Qatar mediators held marathon talks in Tehran for over 12 hours to broker a resumption of direct US-Iran negotiations, with sources reporting positive progress, as concerns grow over potential US military action after Tuesday's midterm elections. The talks, reported by Axios, continued in Doha on Saturday with Qatari officials in frequent contact with the White House. Qatar proposes phased mutual steps, including UN inspectors visiting Iranian nuclear sites in exchange for sanctions relief, though US demands for nuclear concessions and Iran's conditions on lifting blockade and unfreezing assets remain unresolved. US officials are divided, with Defense Secretary Hegseth and Secretary of State Rubio favoring further strikes while Vice President Vance and others seek talks. Regional states urge diplomacy, but Israel's Netanyahu pushes for joint military action, which could trigger Iranian retaliation against Gulf energy facilities.