The National Times - Washington reports movement in Iran negotiations aimed at preventing escalation

WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump signaled progress on Monday in talks with Iran to avoid a return to war, as Tehran reported “intensive” exchanges and offered to reopen the Strait of Hormuz under strict conditions. The diplomatic signals came ahead of Tuesday’s US midterm elections, in which Trump’s Republican Party is trying to keep control of Congress amid voter dissatisfaction over the conflict and the soaring fuel prices it has caused. A deal with Tehran “could happen,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform. “Iran wants a settlement, as soon as possible.” Hours later, the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported that the United States had attacked Iran. It said this was the latest in a string of limited strikes Washington had secretly carried out against the Islamic republic in recent weeks. Iranian state media reported five explosions in quick succession on Qeshm island in the strait. The US Central Command did not immediately respond to an AFP request for comment.

Earlier on Monday, oil prices fell steeply by over 7 percent on hopes of an end to the eight-month-old conflict. The WSJ report came shortly before polls opened in the midterms. Democrats expect to win at least partial control of Congress, which would put political constraints on Trump for the first time in two years. Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said indirect talks with Washington were taking place through mediators. “Given the sensitivity and gravity of the current situation, consultations and deliberations are very intensive,” he told state media, adding that Qatar and Pakistan were playing “a very active mediating role”. Vice President JD Vance said he and Trump were optimistic about reaching an agreement. “We’ve certainly made some progress. We’ll see if we can make some more,” he told reporters. Axios reported earlier that Vance had sent a letter to Iranian national security chief Mohsen Rezaei about possible new talks, the highest-level move in months.

A senior Iranian official said Tehran was ready to open the strait within two days if Washington agreed to its demands. In September, Iran proposed a seven-day plan to reopen the strait. Its demands included ending the war on all fronts, unfreezing Iranian assets, lifting oil sanctions and ending the counter-blockade of Iranian ports. “The possibility of implementing this plan in two days is another indication of Iran’s good-faith approach,” Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei said. In Beijing, Chinese President Xi Jinping discussed the war with Oman’s Sultan Haitham bin Tariq, on the first visit to China by an Omani head of state since diplomatic ties were established. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi told Ali Bagheri, deputy secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, that Beijing supports Tehran in “safeguarding its own sovereignty and security”.

Trump has kept up his threats against Iran. On Sunday he said the United States may have to give Iran “the hammer” at some unspecified time. Baqaei warned that any act of aggression “will be met with a powerful, immediate and comprehensive response”. — AFP

Lewis--TNT