US, Iran may return to fighting after midterm elections, reached 'diplomatic stalemate' - report

The United States and Iran seem poised to resume hostilities following the US midterm elections, according to a report by Axios. Despite several rounds of negotiations, little progress has been made towards a diplomatic resolution of the conflict, with both sides unwilling to compromise. Qatari mediators have been working tirelessly to broker a deal, but their efforts have so far been unsuccessful.

The sources familiar with the situation say that Qatari officials are becoming increasingly exasperated by the lack of movement from both nations. It is reported that US President Donald Trump may order a return to combat operations post the midterm elections, which are scheduled for November. This comes after separate discussions between Qatari mediators and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, along with a US delegation that included Jared Kushner.

The talks centered on a two-page Qatari compromise proposal that aimed to lift the US naval blockade and secure Iranian nuclear concessions. However, a US official told Reuters that the discussions were expected to focus on an amended version of a seven-day proposal Iran presented during the UN General Assembly. The talks, however, have been described as 'stuck' with no significant movement reported.

The Iranians are reportedly asking for demands that the US cannot accommodate, while the US believes it is already winning, thus there seems to be no need for compromise. The Iranian Supreme National Security Council Secretary Mohsen Rezaei has said that Iran has conveyed its terms to the US, but President Trump is 'incapable of making a decision'.

He added that Trump is 'trapped in a quagmire' where he can neither negotiate nor fight. Trump's remarks on Tuesday suggested that Iran is 'doing very badly', but it is unclear if Iran is ready to give up yet, as they need to prevent the development of a nuclear weapon.