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 bring an end to their ongoing conflict, according to a senior Iranian official who spoke to Reuters on Tuesday. Meanwhile, Qatar has intensified its mediation efforts to bridge the gap between the two nations and prevent a further escalation of hostilities following the U.S. midterm elections.

The United States conducted a series of defensive strikes on Iran's Qeshm Island overnight, targeting surface-to-air missiles that had been used against U.S. assets, according to a U.S. official. Another source suggested that the strikes were limited in scope and did not indicate a return to large-scale military operations.

Speaking on condition of anonymity, the senior Iranian official emphasized that Qatar is working diligently to narrow the differences between Tehran and Washington. The official noted that Qatari mediators traveled to Tehran on Monday night for discussions on a potential deal.