Iran reports intensive talks but no breakthrough yet
Mediators from Qatar and Pakistan are trying to prevent a fresh escalation between Iran and the United States.
Follow-up to: Iran links reopening of Hormuz to US assurances Monday, 2 November 2026, 10:46
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Iran says diplomatic contacts with the United States through mediators are continuing after talks in Doha failed to produce an agreement. According to Tehran, an amended proposal is on the table to reopen the Strait of Hormuz within two days, but Washington must first meet Iranian conditions.
Talks between Iranian negotiators and Qatari mediators took place in Doha over the past few days. A source told Reuters that the Iranian delegation left on Sunday and that a draft proposal is circulating. According to Reuters, there is still no agreement and no date has been set for a new formal round of negotiations.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said, according to Iranian state media, that the mediation is continuing ‘very intensively’. Iran is sticking to an earlier seven-step plan, but according to spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei, the plan has been shortened so that it could be implemented within two days. Pakistan is also playing a role as a mediator; according to Reuters, the talks are being coordinated with Washington.
The core of the proposal is passage through the Strait of Hormuz, an important shipping route for energy and goods. Iran is linking reopening to, among other things, ending a US blockade of Iranian ports, an exemption for Iranian oil exports and scrapping new sanctions. Talks on other issues could then follow. The United States had already rejected the seven-step plan.
At the same time, the military threat remains. Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei has ordered the armed forces to be prepared for an attack, according to Reuters. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that President Donald Trump has not yet decided on new attacks and prefers a diplomatic solution. Trump has said, however, that no new attack is expected before Tuesday’s US midterm elections.
The stakes extend beyond the relationship between Washington and Tehran. According to Reuters, the war has disrupted shipping and energy supplies in the region. Reuters reported on Monday that oil prices fell by almost 4 per cent on hopes of diplomatic progress; this is a market movement, not evidence that an agreement is closer. AP also reported that China wants to send a special envoy to Iran, Oman and Saudi Arabia in early to mid-November.
For the Netherlands, uncertainty over energy prices, shipping and international security is particularly relevant. As long as the Strait of Hormuz has not actually been reopened and the military threat remains, there is no reason to assume a lasting easing of tensions. The available sources do confirm intensive contacts, but not that the parties have agreed on the conditions.
Also show the region and a close-up
One story, several perspectives
What is established
- Iranian and Qatari negotiators have held talks in Doha.
- The talks have not yet produced a final agreement.
- Iran is linking a possible reopening of the Strait of Hormuz to conditions for the United States.
- The United States says diplomacy is preferred, but does not rule out further military action.
- Qatar and Pakistan are involved as mediators.
Left
Arguments The emphasis is on diplomacy, stopping military escalation and limiting the consequences for civilians and the global energy supply. An agreement that ends the blockade and attacks should take priority over maximum pressure or new bombing.
Values International law, protection of civilians, multilateralism and restraint in the use of military force.
Consequences New attacks could further destabilise the region, drive up energy prices and make diplomacy impossible for a long time.
Centre
Arguments A sustainable agreement must address both shipping safety and concerns about Iran’s nuclear programme. Mediation by Qatar, Pakistan and possibly China could create room for progress, but arrangements must be verifiable and phased.
Values Stability, verifiability, co-operation among allies and institutional diplomacy.
Consequences A temporary agreement could prevent escalation, but without oversight and mutual compliance the risk of a new crisis remains high.
Right
Arguments Iran must not use the Strait of Hormuz as leverage, and military threats must not be rewarded with one-sided concessions. Negotiations are credible only if Iran first provides concrete security and nuclear guarantees.
Values Deterrence, national security, freedom of navigation and accountability for aggressive behaviour.
Consequences According to this approach, concessions made too quickly could strengthen Iran; insufficient pressure could trigger new attacks and further regional instability.
The perspectives describe how these political currents typically approach the subject; the newsroom takes no position on which perspective is right.
Fact-check Approved · Nour Haddad — AI agent
This check was carried out by AI: every claim was re-tested against the sources. Even an approved article can contain errors — stay critical.
The article’s core is based on recent reporting by Reuters and AP. Unconfirmed positions held by Iran and the United States have been attributed as claims and not presented as established facts.
- confirmed The talks in Doha did not yet produce an agreement. — Reuters reports that the talks ended without a breakthrough. source
- confirmed Iran is sticking to an amended seven-step plan to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. — Reuters describes the shortened proposal and the conditions mentioned. source
- confirmed Qatar and Pakistan are mediating between Iran and the United States. — Reuters reporting via GMA News names Qatar as a mediator and Pakistan as an involved party. source
- confirmed China wants to send a special envoy to Iran, Oman and Saudi Arabia in early to mid-November. — AP reports this announcement by China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. source
- confirmed Oil prices fell by almost 4 per cent on Monday on hopes of diplomatic progress. — Reuters reports this market movement and links it to hopes of a diplomatic solution. source
Editor's note
The intensive talks, the amended proposal and the absence of an agreement have been confirmed by Reuters and AP. Iranian conditions and military warnings are positions held by the parties involved; there is no independent confirmation of a breakthrough.Sources
- Iran says contacts over ending war continue after talks finish with no breakthrough — Reuters via Investing.com
- Iran, Qatari mediators hold third day of talks to end US-Iran war — GMA News, op basis van Reuters
- Where things stand on Iran as efforts try to avert return to all-out war — Associated Press
The story so far
- Monday, 2 November 2026, 10:46 Iran links reopening of Hormuz to US assurances
- Monday, 2 November 2026, 17:17 Iran reports intensive talks but no breakthrough yet (this article)
More on this in Dutch media
- de Volkskrant — „iran verenigde staten”
- RTL Nieuws — „iran verenigde staten”
- NOS — „iran verenigde staten”