Iranian negotiators have left talks with Qatari mediators in Doha, and a draft proposal for a deal with the United States is being circulated, with a follow-up meeting possible, an official briefed on the talks said on Monday 2 November.

They departed on Sunday, not because of difficulties, the official said, giving no further details on the draft.

The Hormuz proposal

Foreign ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said the basis of the talks is a seven-step plan Iran drew up in September to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and end the US naval blockade on Iran, with Tehran now suggesting it could be implemented on a faster timeline under a deal.

Speaking on Monday, Baghaei said Iran continues exchanging messages with the US through mediators, and that the revised proposal could be fully implemented within two days. He said “the ball is now in the US court”: no deal or reopening unless Washington ended its naval blockade and met Tehran's demands.

Al Jazeera quoted Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Saturday as saying a deal could open the Strait within two days rather than seven; Iran's initial proposal was rejected by President Donald Trump, Reuters reported.

What happens next

The latest round comes amid concern the conflict could escalate again after Tuesday's US midterm elections. Trump has said the US would not launch new attacks on Iran before the vote and that talks have been productive, but has not ruled out further military action afterwards.

Araghchi said consultations with mediators were continuing and the outcome depended on Washington's responses. No direct US–Iran talks were taking place and no agreement had been announced.

Sources: Reuters, 2 November 2026; Al Jazeera, via Reuters; AP. This follows DailyByte's 2 November report of the talks' third day; it adds the negotiators' departure and the circulating draft.