Iran and US Continue Indirect Talks After Qatari Mediation Stalls

Residents of Gulf states and energy consumers face continued uncertainty as the eight-month war between the United States and Iran shows no immediate end. The latest round of indirect talks, mediated by Qatar, concluded on Sunday without a breakthrough. While oil prices dropped by nearly 4% on Monday amid hopes for a diplomatic resolution, Iranian sources indicated that a new US attack is still considered more likely than a formal deal.

Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian announced on Monday that Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khomenei granted the government specific authorities over the peace process. State media reported that Pezeshkian said Tehran would attempt to resolve the conflict through dialogue. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei confirmed that communications between the two nations are ongoing. He described the issue as complex and noted that the sides are currently exchanging messages through mediators rather than meeting directly.

The core of the negotiation remains Iran's seven-step proposal, which the country submitted in September. US President Donald Trump rejected that initial plan. Baghaei said the proposal has been condensed to allow for implementation within two days. The shortened plan requires the US to lift its blockade of Iranian ports and waive restrictions on Iranian oil sales. In exchange, Iran would reopen the Strait of Hormuz and cancel new sanctions. Baghaei stated that a return to negotiations on Iran's nuclear program can only occur after all these conditions are met.

Iranian negotiators departed the mediation site on Sunday without reporting any specific problems. An official briefed on the process said a draft proposal is currently being circulated. When asked if Iran would agree to transfer its highly enriched uranium stockpile to another country, Baghaei said no. The foreign ministry emphasized that condensing the plan does not change Iran's underlying stance on its nuclear program.

The conflict, which began with a joint US and Israeli launch on February 28, has disrupted global energy supplies. The war led to Iran closing the Strait of Hormuz and a US blockade of Iranian ports. It also triggered repeated drone and missile attacks on Gulf states and renewed fighting in Yemen. On Friday, a Qatari liquefied natural gas tanker was struck by unidentified objects in the Gulf. Its operator, Nakilat, confirmed the incident on Sunday. This event is rare, as attacks on LNG carriers have been infrequent compared to strikes on oil tankers.

China and Russia voiced opposition to renewed military action on Monday. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with Iranian security official Ali Bagheri Kani in Beijing. Wang urged all parties to focus on political solutions. The Russian Foreign Ministry expressed extreme concern over reports of new attacks and called for increased diplomatic efforts. These statements come ahead of US midterm elections on Tuesday, when President Trump has repeatedly stated there would be no new attack on Iran.

Iran has warned it will respond aggressively to any resumed strikes. Plans include hitting targets both inside and outside the Middle East. The next steps in the mediation process are unclear, but both sides continue to exchange messages through Qatari intermediaries.