Gulf Arab governments are intensifying diplomatic efforts to prevent another major American assault on Iran after the US midterm elections, with Washington and Tehran still divided over the terms of a settlement.
Qatar is leading indirect negotiations, while regional governments are preparing for the possibility that renewed strikes could trigger attacks on energy installations, shipping routes and American military facilities across the Gulf. The November 3 elections have passed without a comprehensive agreement, leaving President Donald Trump’s next decision under close scrutiny.
Qatar’s foreign ministry spokesman, Majed Al Ansari, said on Tuesday that both sides remained engaged in negotiations and were examining proposals conveyed through mediators. Doha was seeking an interim arrangement and remained hopeful that an agreement was possible, although neither government had accepted the outstanding terms.
Trump said on Monday that a deal with Iran “could happen” and asserted that Tehran wanted a settlement as soon as possible. His comments followed warnings that major American attacks could resume after the congressional vote, despite his earlier undertaking not to launch new strikes before polling day.
Iranian officials have maintained that any settlement must address Tehran’s demands rather than simply suspend military operations. Mohsen Rezaei, secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, said Washington’s response was insufficient and insisted that seven Iranian conditions must be addressed before the Strait of Hormuz could reopen.
Those demands include lifting the American blockade of Iranian ports, releasing frozen Iranian assets and ending hostilities across several regional fronts, including Lebanon. Iran has also sought relief from sanctions and compensation for wartime damage. Washington has not publicly agreed to those conditions, and the scope of any proposed concessions remains unresolved.
Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said negotiations through intermediaries were proceeding intensively but stressed that progress depended on American decisions. Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Esmail Baqaei said Tehran was prepared for diplomacy while remaining deeply distrustful of Washington’s intentions and requiring a firm commitment to halt the fighting.
The stakes for Gulf governments extend beyond the confrontation between Washington and Tehran. A wider military campaign could expose ports, airports, oil terminals and desalination facilities to retaliation, with consequences for domestic security and international energy supplies. Governments hosting American forces face particular pressure to maintain their security partnerships without becoming targets in an expanded conflict.
American officials have warned regional partners to prepare for possible strikes and Iranian retaliation. Those warnings do not establish that Trump has authorised a new offensive. US forces nevertheless carried out limited strikes against Iranian targets near Qeshm Island on Monday, following what American officials described as Iranian fire directed at a US aircraft.
Iran’s deputy foreign minister, Kazem Gharibabadi, asserted Tehran’s right to defend itself until military operations against the country had ended. The incident underscored how quickly an isolated confrontation around the strategic waterway could complicate negotiations already burdened by incompatible demands.
The Strait of Hormuz remains central to the talks because restrictions on commercial passage have disrupted petroleum shipments and raised costs for importing economies. Iranian proposals envisage reopening the route in exchange for American measures, but the sequence, verification and durability of reciprocal steps have not been settled.
Araghchi said Tehran had discussed shortening the implementation period of a potential arrangement from seven days to two, following exchanges with Qatari mediators. A shorter timetable could reduce uncertainty for shipping operators, although reopening would still depend on political agreement and practical assurances about vessel safety.
Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states have an immediate interest in preventing further damage to regional infrastructure. The conflict has already been accompanied by attacks affecting energy facilities and maritime traffic, while fighting involving Yemen’s Houthi movement has heightened concerns about the vulnerability of cross-border infrastructure.
Egypt has also urged restraint. Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty said he had pressed his Iranian counterpart to demonstrate flexibility and prioritise negotiations, warning of the political, economic and security consequences of escalation. Pakistan has participated alongside Qatar in efforts to facilitate exchanges between the adversaries.
Oil markets have reacted sharply to signals from the negotiations. Brent crude fell substantially on Monday as expectations of a possible agreement strengthened, illustrating how even tentative diplomatic progress can affect prices while restrictions on Gulf shipping remain firmly in place.
Related Posts
Add A Comment