Iranian negotiators held talks in Doha on Saturday with Qatari mediators about ways out of the war in the Gulf, Reuters reported, citing a source briefed on the negotiations. The meeting followed more than 12 hours of discussions on Friday between Iranian and Qatari envoys in Tehran, as diplomats try to prevent a fresh outbreak of fighting after the United States midterm elections this week.

Regional governments fear US President Donald Trump, who held off strikes during the midterm run-up, could resume attacks after Tuesday's vote. He launched the war alongside Israel in February. Iran has said it would answer new attacks by striking US and Israeli targets nearby.

Seven-day plans and a letter from Washington

According to the Reuters source, the Qataris brought a proposal to Tehran a week ago for a seven-day plan, under which both sides would take daily steps to build trust ahead of broader talks. Iran has itself proposed a seven-day plan since September, so far rejected by Mr Trump, calling for a lifted blockade of Iranian ports, unfrozen assets and an approved route through the Strait of Hormuz, after which the strait would reopen.

Earlier this week, Vice President JD Vance wrote to a senior Iranian security official to test whether talks could restart. Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said Iran was studying the letter, in remarks reported by Al Jazeera.

Warning from Tehran

On Saturday, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei ordered the armed forces to prepare for any attacks, saying any threat must meet an immediate, impactful and geographically unrestricted response, and Tehran would decide when any renewed conflict ends. Senior commanders reported high readiness along the Gulf coast, the Strait of Hormuz and Iran's borders, according to the statement — mediation on one side, public preparation for escalation on the other.