Iran leaves Doha talks as U.S. and Israel weigh strike timing

An Iranian delegation departed Qatar on Monday following several days of diplomatic discussions. Two officials from the Iranian government confirmed the exit. They spoke on condition of anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the talks. Communication with the United States will continue through the Qatari mediators.

The diplomatic effort aims to prevent new military attacks. Tehran has widened its public threats while maintaining its diplomatic track. Iranian leaders stated they are waiting for a final U.S. response to a specific proposal. That proposal requires Washington to meet several conditions. In return, the Strait of Hormuz would open fully to shipping within two days.

U.S. President Donald Trump spoke to reporters on Sunday evening. He described a phone call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Saturday. Trump called the conversation "very good." He said they discussed Iran but provided no details. Netanyahu has not commented publicly on the call. His office also remained silent.

Concerns have grown that the U.S. and Israel may strike Iran shortly after the U.S. midterm elections on Tuesday. These fears intensified after last week's election in Israel. Netanyahu and his bloc lost their parliamentary majority. Observers worry the prime minister may push for strikes to remain in power during an emergency government. Trump has alternated between comments about pursuing talks and threats to strike Iran hard.

Iran's new supreme leader, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, met with military chiefs. He ordered that any response to threats from the U.S. or Israel be immediate. He said the response should have no geographic limits. He urged an expansion of the list of potential targets. Khamenei has not appeared publicly since the Feb. 28 strikes that killed his father, the previous supreme leader.

Mohsen Rezaei, Iran's security chief, warned that any attack would bring devastating blows using new weapons. He stated the tone from the U.S. has completely changed. He called this shift a very good sign. Rezaei acknowledged a letter from U.S. Vice President JD Vance. He said Iran has not yet responded to that letter.

Rezaei noted that no decision has been made to change Iran's nuclear doctrine. However, some Iranians question if the doctrine should shift if the country is attacked again. Tehran insists its nuclear program remains peaceful. Washington seeks to prevent a nuclear weapon and wants to address this issue in any new talks. Iran prefers to discuss the nuclear issue later.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi visited Turkmenistan on Monday. He said the final outcome depends on the answers the U.S. provides to Iranian questions. The mood was grim at the Manama Dialogue in Bahrain. Anwar Gargash, a UAE presidential adviser, told attendees that U.S. and Iranian stances are far apart. He warned that if these positions are not bridged, the worst case scenario must be feared.

Commercial ship attacks in the Strait of Hormuz peaked in October. It was the busiest month for reported assaults since March. Gulf nations have spent billions of dollars to boost defense capabilities since the war began. The UAE faced the most missile and drone attacks, with most intercepted. Egypt's foreign minister warned the next escalation will be more destructive and lead nowhere. China announced it will send a special envoy to Iran, Oman, and Saudi Arabia in early to mid-November.