Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman speaks with Donald Trump at the Royal Court in Riyadh, May 2025 (Brendan Smialowski/AFP)

UPDATES: US War on Iran, Day 243 — Tehran In Discussions With Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan

UPDATE 0824 GMT:

Qatar Gas Transport Company Limited has confirmed that one of its liquefied natural gas tankers was hit by “unidentified objects” in the Gulf on Friday night.

No crew members on the Al Mayeda were hurt and there was no environmental impact. “The vessel is in a safe condition, operational, and the impact of the incident is being assessed,” the company said.

UPDATE 0736 GMT:

Israeli forces have shelled the town of al-Mansouri and the outskirts of Hadatha in the Nabatieh district in southern Lebanon.

Airstrikes targeted the town of Aynatha, close to Bint Jbeil.

Israeli attacks from October 2023 to September 2026 have killed 8,920 people and injured 30,595, reports the Lebanese Health Ministry.

As Israel expands its zone of occupation, 333,144 people have been displaced and 31,259 buildings destroyed.

UPDATE 0726 GMT:

Iranian strikes on 26 US military bases and positions in the Middle East targeted early-warning systems before hitting aircraft and buildings, causing billions of dollars in damage to equipment, assesses an Associated Press analysis.

Through August, more than 115 drone or missile strikes damaged or destroyed structures on the bases. Iran initially focused its attacks on aircraft hangars and systems that detect incoming strikes, clearing the way for further attacks on warehouses, troop housing, and other facilities.

Two regional officials said Washington has moved many of its assets out of the Gulf.

UPDATE, NOV 1:

Donald Trump and Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reportedly spoke by phone on Saturday morning about US plans to resume strikes on Iran.

Trump told reporters later in the day, “We still have to take care of, I would say, one or two sites, but we can do that in 10 minutes.”

He cited the claimed site of an underground Iranian nuclear complex, “You probably could look at Pickaxe Mountain, and you have to take care of that.”

He said that negotiations with Iran are “going fine” but that the Islamic Republic is “not very reliable”.

UPDATE 1427 GMT:

Pushing back on reports that discussions with the US in Qatar are imminent (see 0710 GMT), Iran Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi says, “Currently, there are no plans for meetings with American officials, and any speculation to the contrary is merely media assumption.”

However, he said the letter from US President J.D. Vance proposing talks is a “positive step”. Iranian officials are continuing their discussions in Doha with Qatari mediators.

UPDATE 1201 GMT:

Iranian media reports an enemy drone attacked two fishing boats off Qeshm Island in the Strait of Hormuz.

Two fishermen are reportedly injured and two more are missing. The attack occurred around 11:30 a.m. within 18 miles of the village of Musan.

UPDATE 0710 GMT:

The Trump camp is warning of possible strikes on Iran as early as November 4, the day after US midterm elections, say “three senior Gulf Arab officials familiar with the discussions”.

The officials said the strikes are expected to be brief but intense. Gulf States are pressing the Trumpists against the renewed attacks, calling for de-escalation amid fears of Iranian retaliation.

One official said they “would not be surprised” if some Gulf countries oppose the use of US military bases on their territory.

A White House official said, “We do not comment on sensitive military plans that may or may not exist.” Donald Trump “keeps all options on the table to ensure that Iran can never have a nuclear weapon”.

In sharp contrast, the Qatari newspaper Al-Araby Al-Jadeed is claiming a breakthrough in indirect negotiations between the US and Iran, with an American delegation expected to join Iranian officials for direct talks in Doha.

“Sources close to mediation efforts led by Qatar and Pakistan” said the sides have agreed on preliminary measures concerning Iran’s nuclear program, navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, and financial incentives for Tehran. China and Russia will be the guarantors of an agreement.

Axios reports more than 12 hours of talks between Qatari mediators and Iranian officials in Tehran on Friday. The Iranian negotiating team reportedly accompanied the Qatari delegation back to Doha, where negotiations are set to resume today.

UPDATE, OCT 31:

Israeli forces have carried out airstrikes on the town of Kfar Tebnit in the Nabatieh district of southern Lebanon.

Warplanes also attacked Wadi al-Saluki in southern Lebanon, and forces opened heavy machine gun fire on woodland in Wadi al-Hujeir and the outskirts of the town of Chaqra in the Bint Jbeil district.

UPDATE 1650 GMT:

The price of Brent crude has returned to its highest level since April amid attacks on tankers and the prospect of renewed US strikes on Iran.

The current price is $117.72 per barrel, almost 3% higher on the day.

UPDATE 1134 GMT:

A Qatari delegation, in Tehran for the second time in a week, may receive a response to the letter from US Vice President JD Vance seeking a renewed diplomatic path.

Sources said a possible meeting could be held within a week, either in Doha or Istanbul.

A US official says they believe the head of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, Mohsen Rezaei — contacted in a letter by Vice President J.D. Vance — is the best option for talks to avoid a resumption of American strikes on the Islamic Republic.

Iran’s negotiators have been led by Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, who was previously held up by US officials as their preferred Iranian leader.

The official said Vance is stressing the need for Iran to dispatch negotiators who are “empowered” to discuss and resolve the nuclear issue, indicating that the White House believes Rezaei has that ability.

US intelligence assesses that Rezaei, in contact with Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, has his finger on the pulse of the country’s security and economic situation. He is believed to have been in contact with Khamenei after receiving Vance’s letter.

Rezaei has yet to respond to the letter.

UPDATE, OCT 30:

Yemen’s Houthis have denied that they launched an attack drone over the Saudi holy city of Mecca.

The Saudi-led coalition claimed it intercepted and destroyed the drone.

Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Sare’e said the group only targets Saudi oil facilities and military bases.

UPDATE 1157 GMT:

The annual point-to-point inflation rate has reached 88.7%, according to the Statistical Center of Iran, with the monthly rate at 4.4%.

UPDATE 1009 GMT:

The UN says more than 281,000 people have been displaced from their homes in Yemen by fighting since the beginning of August.

The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said humanitarian access has become increasingly difficult over the past three weeks. It cited damage to a key road linking Taiz, Yemen’s third-largest city which is at risk of being surrounded by Houthi insurgents, to southern governorates. Aid supplies are now having to reach people in need through narrow mountain routes.

The OCHA called on fighters not to target civilians or aid convoys. “All parties must respect international humanitarian law and allow safe, sustained and unimpeded humanitarian access so that aid can reach people in need.”

UPDATE 0819 GMT:

A vessel is afire after an apparent attack in the Strait of Hormuz.

The ⁠UK Maritime Trade Operations center reported, “The Master of a third-party vessel has reported sighting another vessel on fire. Status of crew is unknown.”

The incident occurred 17 km (9 nautical ‌miles) north of Khasab, Oman.

UPDATE 0622 GMT:

Officials say US Vice President J.D. Vance has written Mohsen Rezaei, the Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, to test if there is common ground to avoid US strikes on the Islamic Republic.

The sources said the letter and follow-up discussions between US and Iranian officials have not included specific terms, focusing instead on a possible framework for negotiations.

The letter was sent last week through Qatari mediators and delivered on Sunday. Vance called for direct talks, offering to lead the US delegation. He proposed putting Iran’s nuclear program on the table from the outset.

Iran has said that discussion of the nuclear issue can only follow an agreement on the Strait of Hormuz and financial terms such as the lifting of US sanctions. However, an Iranian official said leaders received the proposal positively. Rezaei is expected to reply formally by Thursday.

Both sides said talks could begin as soon as next week in Qatar or Türkiye.

Donald Trump denied that Vance was instructed to pursue the resumption of talks, “No, the issue is that they need help, including medical equipment and various other items.”

He said Vance sought his opinion to which he responded, “If you want to do it, that’s fine.”

UPDATE 0621 GMT:

Iran’s Revolutionary Guards say they downed an MQ-1 drone in the airspace east of the Strait of Hormuz.

UPDATE, OCT 29:

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has fired the Pentagon’s top military planner, Lt. Gen. Brett Sylvia, in his latest purge of senior commanders and officials.

There is no immediate replacement and no reason has been given for the firing.

Sylvia’s predecessor as head of strategy, plans and, policy on the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Lt. Gen. Joseph McGee, was forced to retire last October.

UPDATE 0831 GMT:

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi says the meeting between Iranian, Saudi, Pakistani and Turkish military officials in Tehran was a “valuable opportunity” to advance dialogue on regional peace and security.

He cited an opportunity for “enduring cooperation”, but the nations need to agree on core principles, build trust, and display mutual respect for national sovereignty.

Sustainable security must be created by nations of the region, without foreign military interference, he added.

UPDATE 0635 GMT:

The Pentagon has told US legislators that the cost of the US War on Iran reached $47.1 billion by October 16.

Bombs, missiles, and other munitions accounts for more than 60 percent of the cost.

Analysts said the true figure is likely much higher, noting that damage to US bases and facilities from Iran’s retaliation may not be included.

UPDATE 0625 GMT:

International Atomic Energy Agency head Rafael Grossi told a UN Security Council meeting on Tuesday, “Since June 2025, we have not identified any activity to repair or reconstruct any of the facilities damaged in the military attacks of 2025 and 2026.”

He emphasized that access to the facilities is necessary to verify their condition. “Iran has not provided the requested information and access” needed to verify its previously-declared nuclear material, including 440 kg (968 pounds) of high-enriched uranium.

ORIGINAL ENTRY: Officials from multiple countries are speaking of a deal, developed by regional governments from Iranian proposals, to end the US War.

Under the agreement, Iran would fulfil its offer to reopen the Strait of Hormuz within four days of US sanctions being lifted. In Yemen, Houthi insurgents would pull back fighters who have been taking territory from Saudi-backed government forces.

In September, Iran proposed a seven-day plan to end the war. The initiative was boosted last Thursday by a meeting of Foreign Ministers from four European and four regional states — including Saudi Arabia — trying to avert a renewal of US and Israeli strikes.

The Trump Administration is aware of the talks. European powers indicated that it wants an assurance of Tehran’s readmission of UN nuclear and weapons inspectors.

UK Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband urged Tehran to agree when he met the Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in New York last month. However, Iran is insisted that detailed talks on its nuclear program must follow agreement over the Strait and sanctions removal.

Meanwhile, Iran and its Houthi allies are consulting over a deal for Yemen. Tehran’s Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council, Mohsen Rezaei, met Houthi Ambassador Ibrahim al-Dulaimi on Tuesday.

A day earlier, Iran hosted a high-level delegation from Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan to discuss Saudi terms over Yemen and longer-term security arrangements for the region.

In return for its pullback of fighters, who have advanced along the Red Sea coast and surrounded Yemen’s third-largest city Taiz, the Houthis are demanding that Saudi Arabia lift a naval and air blockade on Houthi-held territory.

Oman Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi said he believed the Trump Administration understood the region is moving towards a security and non-aggression pact.

I think if Iran is fully re-engaged in this idea of having all of us, eight countries at peace with the rest of the world, the economic potential is going to be enormous for all of us in the region and those outside the region who choose to take part in this development.

We have really discussed this in at length during the talks between Iran and the United States, and I think there is general acceptance that this will be the direction of travel once we have a deal in place at the end of the day.