Iranian negotiators leave Doha as draft deal to end war circulates

DOHA/WASHINGTON: Diplomatic efforts to end the war between Iran and the United States have gained pace. According to an official familiar with the talks, Iranian representatives left Qatar on 2 November after talks with Qatari mediators. A draft agreement is in circulation and a further meeting is also possible.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told state media on Sunday that Iran is ready for both defence and diplomacy. He said the delegation’s visit took place at the level of Deputy Foreign Minister and aimed to continue consultations with the Qatari mediators. He said talks on a two-day proposal are continuing, but no final outcome has been reached.

According to Al Jazeera, Araghchi said on Saturday that Iranian and Qatari negotiators had prepared a proposal under which the Strait of Hormuz would be opened within two days of a possible agreement with Washington.

Iran’s Defence Minister, Mehrdad Akhlaghi Ketabchi, said the war capability of the armed forces is being increased rapidly so that any attack can be answered without geographical limits.

US President Donald Trump, speaking in Washington a day before the 3 November midterm elections, said the United States is winning the war and Iran wants a deal, which could happen. He said Iran will not be allowed to have a nuclear weapon. Asked by a journalist whether attacks on Iran would resume after the elections, he replied: No. A day earlier, he had said that at some stage Iran would have to be hit hard again.

According to Vice President JD Vance, he and Trump are positive about the prospects of a negotiated settlement and some progress has been made.

According to the Russian Foreign Ministry, Russian and Iranian diplomats held consultations in Moscow, stressing the need to prevent a return to large-scale military confrontation in the Middle East. Iranian media reported a telephone conversation between Vladimir Putin and Mohsen Rezaei, Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council. The Kremlin did not immediately confirm it.