DOHA – As fears of fresh US strikes on Iran intensify after US midterm elections, Doha emerged as centre of urgent diplomacy with Iranian negotiators meeting Qatari mediators in fresh talks to prevent another devastating Gulf conflict, even as Tehran placed its military on heightened alert and warned Washington of powerful retaliation.
The high-stakes meeting followed more than 12 hours of intensive discussions between Iranian and Qatari representatives in Tehran on Friday, according to a source familiar with the diplomatic exchanges. The source said the negotiations were taking place in coordination with regular contacts involving Washington, raising hopes that a diplomatic breakthrough might still be possible before tensions escalate further.
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei delivered a stern warning, ordering the country’s armed forces to remain prepared for any fresh American or Israeli attack. Khamenei called for a swift, forceful response to military threats, making clear that Iranian retaliation would not necessarily be confined to a particular geographical area.
Iran’s armed forces subsequently announced steps to strengthen their combat readiness. He said military commanders have reported elevated preparedness across sensitive locations, including the Gulf coastline, the Strait of Hormuz, the Gulf of Oman and the country’s northwestern and southeastern borders.
The supreme leader has not appeared publicly since succeeding his father, who was killed at the beginning of the war in February. Tehran repeatedly warned that renewed attacks by the United States or Israel could trigger strikes against American and Israeli targets in neighbouring countries, increasing the possibility of a wider regional confrontation.
The biggest uncertainty hanging over the Gulf is what Washington will do after Tuesday’s American midterm elections. Regional governments have been closely monitoring Trump’s military calculations, particularly as the United States has avoided launching additional attacks on Iran during the weeks immediately preceding the vote.
US president trump has repeatedly suggested that the conflict may not be over. His recent political remarks have added to speculation about Washington’s intentions. Ahead of Israel’s elections, Trump publicly encouraged Israeli voters to support Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, indicating that he wanted the two leaders to continue their joint approach towards Iran.
Despite the increasingly confrontational atmosphere, Washington has also taken steps suggesting that negotiations remain an option. Earlier this week, US Vice President JD Vance reportedly sent a letter to a senior hardline Iranian security official in an effort to explore whether discussions could resume.
Vance had previously led the American delegation during negotiations with Tehran, making the communication particularly significant.
With fears of another military confrontation growing, Qatar has introduced a seven-day diplomatic initiative designed to rebuild confidence between Iran and the United States. The proposal, presented to Tehran about a week ago, calls for both sides to take a series of coordinated steps over seven days before launching broader negotiations aimed at ending the Gulf conflict.
Iran has been promoting a separate seven-day settlement proposal since September, demanding significant concessions from Washington before agreeing to reopen the contested waterway.
Under Tehran’s proposed arrangement, the United States would be required to lift its blockade of Iranian ports, release frozen Iranian assets and approve an Iranian-backed shipping arrangement through the strait.
For neighbouring Gulf states, the possibility of renewed US-Iran hostilities has raised serious security concerns. Iran has made clear that its response to another military assault could extend beyond its own borders, potentially exposing American military installations and Israeli-linked interests across the region to retaliation.
Pakistan also took part in mediation efforts during the conflict, reflecting wider regional concern about the consequences of another escalation.
