Tehran and Washington still far from a deal to end the war: Qatari mediators in Tehran as draft agreement talks continue

The United States and Iran are still far from reaching an agreement to end the war, a senior official in Tehran has said. He told the Reuters news agency this on Tuesday (November 3). Although diplomatic efforts have intensified to avert a renewed large-scale conflict after the US midterm elections, the prospect of an agreement remains uncertain.

Meanwhile, the United States carried out what it called 'defensive' strikes on Iran's Qeshm Island overnight on Monday. A US official said the strikes targeted surface-to-air missiles that had been used against US military installations and assets.

Another US official said the strikes were limited in scope and did not signal a resumption of major military operations.

Qatar has intensified its mediation efforts amid fears that the war begun by the United States and Israel last February could spread again — in particular, that the conflict could restart after Tuesday's midterm elections.

The Iranian official said: 'The mediators are working hard to narrow the differences between Tehran and Washington.' On Monday night, Qatari mediators went to Tehran to discuss a version of a US-Iran draft agreement that has been under discussion for the past eight days.

On Tuesday (November 3), Qatar said both the United States and Iran were committed to continuing the mediation efforts and were reviewing the proposals the mediators had put forward. Foreign Ministry spokesman Majed Al-Ansari said the Qatari delegation that had visited Tehran had returned to Doha, but that the talks were continuing.

At a press conference, Al-Ansari said: 'Intensive joint efforts are under way among the countries of the region to avoid an escalation.' He also expressed hope that it would be possible to reach an agreement paving the way for future talks.

The Iranian official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said nuclear talks could begin only after Tehran's conditions were met, that Iran would not accept Washington's 'excessive demands', and warned that if the United States attacked, there would be a strong response in the Middle East and beyond.

Iran's parliament speaker, Mohammad Baqer Ghalibaf, said the ball is now in the United States' court and that Tehran has already given its 'strong and logical response'. Ghalibaf said: 'The enemy side wants to force the Iranian nation to surrender through threats and military action. But they are making a grave mistake. Iran will never surrender.'

Ghalibaf also warned that if the United States made any miscalculation, the response would be unpredictable and bound by no geographical limits. Countries across the Middle East are making preparations amid fears that US President Donald Trump may resume attacks on Iran after the midterm elections, the report said.