Qatar says mediation with US, Iran continues to avert escalation

Doha, Qatar - Qatar's Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani expressed optimism that a resolution could be reached during ongoing mediation efforts between the United States and Iran, according to Al Jazeera TV. The US administration, despite the midterm elections, maintained its willingness to find a solution, indicating that Washington's commitment to an agreement remained unchanged, Prime Minister Al-Thani stated.

Prime Minister Al-Thani highlighted that significant progress had been made in the mediation process and expressed hope for reaching a "good agreement." Iran's semi-official Tasnim news agency reported on Saturday that initial assessments suggested two missiles had struck Qeshm Island, though there was no official data on potential damages. The US had not yet announced any strike on targets within Iran.

In anticipation of US President Donald Trump's potential shift in policy after the midterm elections, regional countries had been on edge, fearing that the president might resume attacks on Iran once the voting concluded. Iran had consistently proposed a seven-day plan since September but was previously rejected by President Trump.

The plan entailed lifting the blockade on Iranian ports, unfreezing assets, and approving an Iranian-backed route through the Strait of Hormuz, which would subsequently reopen the contested waterway.