Gulf state officials say they are prepared for the worst while awaiting Washington’s response to an Iranian proposal that could reopen the Strait of Hormuz ahead of Tuesday’s U.S. midterm elections.
Indirect negotiations in Doha entered a third day on Sunday, with Qatar mediating efforts to secure the release of over $6 billion in Iranian assets—a move that could reopen the Strait of Hormuz and revive discussions on Iran’s nuclear program.
Anwar Gargash, the United Arab Emirates envoy, stated that further escalation serves neither Iran’s interests nor those of its neighbors. Nevertheless, he warned: “We are also, as we have demonstrated before, prepared for the worst.”
He added: “Our relationship with Iran is essential, as Iran is our neighbor, and we do not want to see it drawn into a prolonged crisis.”
Qatari mediation efforts continued after unidentified missiles struck a Pakistan-bound Qatari LNG tanker near the Strait of Hormuz on Friday. The vessel had received direct clearance and safe-passage approval from Tehran just hours before the attack.
To address the mutual lack of trust, Qatar has concentrated on brokering an agreement that compresses the timeline for U.S. sanctions relief, followed by Iran’s reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and the launch of nuclear talks. Tehran has reportedly agreed to shorten the timetable from seven days to two.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said he hopes Washington chooses “diplomacy over other paths,” adding that Tehran is prepared for either defense or diplomacy depending on U.S. “rationality.” He noted that there are currently no plans for direct negotiations with Washington.
Araghchi is not attending the Doha mediation and is scheduled to travel to Turkmenistan on Monday, though other Iranian diplomats remain deeply engaged in the talks.
Donald Trump said on Saturday that the U.S. had degraded much of Iran’s military but still needed to “take care of” one or two remaining targets, as Tehran warned of retaliation if attacked.
Trump asserted that negotiations with Iran to end the war—which he said was started by the U.S. and Israel in February—were “going fine,” though he added that the other side is “not very reliable.”
Earlier on Saturday, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Washington remains open to a diplomatic resolution, while Iranian security chief Mohsen Rezaei revealed he had received a letter from U.S. Vice President JD Vance aimed at reviving negotiations.
Rezaei cited what he described as a positive shift in tone from Washington but said he has not yet responded.
Speaking to Al Jazeera on Saturday, Araghchi said Iran had offered to reopen the Strait of Hormuz within two days if the U.S. lifts the blockade on oil shipments, releases Iranian assets, and ends sanctions on Iranian oil exports.
Ali Nikzad, deputy speaker of Iran’s parliament, reiterated that Tehran refuses to discuss its nuclear program. “Our enemies must understand that the Iranian nation has decided not to negotiate on the nuclear issue under any circumstances or pressure,” he said. “This great nation provided ample opportunity for negotiations in this area, but encountered repeated broken promises and illegal bombing of parts of its peaceful nuclear facilities.”
Rezaei claimed Trump is being consumed by a war with broader international repercussions than the Vietnam War. He told Iranian television on Saturday: “Wherever Trump goes today, he must explain why he started the war against Iran. No American family has been spared the pressure caused by this war.”
