Iran, US still far apart on deal to end war as Qatar pushes mediation

DUBAI — Iran and the United States remain far apart in negotiations to end their ongoing war, according to a senior Iranian official speaking to Reuters on Tuesday. Meanwhile, Qatar is stepping up its mediating role to bridge the gap and prevent further escalation following the U.S. midterm elections.

Overnight, the United States conducted defensive strikes on Iran's Qeshm island, targeting surface-to-air missiles that had been used against U.S. assets, a U.S. official revealed. Another source suggested the strikes were limited and did not indicate a return to large-scale combat operations.

U.S. President Donald Trump reiterated on Tuesday the possibility of military action, stating to Fox News Channel: "I'm not looking to ... kill lots of people. If we have to, we'll have to."

Qatar has ramped up its mediation efforts in light of concerns that the conflict, initiated by the U.S. and Israel in February, could reignite after the recent midterm elections. Senior Iranian officials, speaking anonymously, confirmed that Qatar's mediators have been actively working to narrow the differences between Tehran and Washington.