Qatar Mediates Iran Talks on Hormuz as Fears of New U.S. Strikes Grow

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Monday that weekend talks with Qatari mediators produced no major breakthroughs, though the diplomatic process continues. Iranian officials were in Doha on Sunday for the third day of talks on a possible deal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Araghchi said Iran has proposed opening the waterway within seven days and that the plan, now condensed, could be carried out in two. He said no meeting with a U.S. delegation has taken place or been planned. Qatar has led the mediation for about 72 hours to head off possible new U.S. attacks on Iran after Tuesday's midterm elections, leaving the Gulf region on edge. Israel's Yedioth Ahronoth reported that Israel has finished preparing for renewed confrontation, with any strike up to President Trump, who was recently briefed on military options by Adm. Brad Cooper, head of U.S. Central Command.

NPR, on the left, leads with regional unease and Qatar's role in trying to avert a new round of U.S. attacks after the midterms. In the excerpt provided it gives no detail on the terms under discussion and quotes no officials. Breitbart, on the right, leads with Araghchi's statement that there were no breakthroughs and quotes his warning of a harsher response to any military action. It adds that Iran reportedly rejected an earlier Qatari proposal over up-front enrichment concessions. It also describes Iran's plan as demanding an end to the U.S. blockade and sanctions relief, and says Iran made and broke a similar Hormuz pledge in June. Both sides agree Qatar is mediating intensively. They differ in focus: NPR on regional stakes, Breitbart on Iran's conditions and credibility. Antiwar.com adds a distinct angle, reporting Israeli aircraft flights toward Iran's border that may be meant to provoke a response.