Mediators push US-Iran deal as Gulf states brace for possible renewed war
Trump says he may have to give Tehran "the hammer," and Iran's supreme leader says a response to any threat would have no geographic limits.
The Middle East is bracing for a possible return to war between the United States and Iran after the U.S. midterm elections on Tuesday. Mediators led by Qatar have held days of indirect talks. Two Iranian officials said their delegation left Qatar, but messages with the U.S. continue through the mediator.
Tehran says it is waiting for Washington's latest reply to a proposal. Under it, the would be fully opened to shipping within two days, provided the U.S. meets several conditions. Trump said the U.S. still has one or two more potential targets in Iran to "take care of," and later said he may have to give Tehran "the hammer."
Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, said the response to any threat should be immediate and without "geographic limits." Trump said he had a "very good" call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and gave no details. Just the News reports that Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Trump has made no decision while talks continue, but that the U.S. is ready for a military response.
Just the News also reports U.S. strikes on Monday against Iranians using surface-to-air missiles in the Strait of Hormuz, citing AP. Semafor reports a U.S. strike on Iran's Qeshm Island, reportedly after Iranian fire at an American plane.
- more than 3,000 drones and ballistic missiles Iran aimed at the UAE, according to IISS — ABC News
- within two days time to fully open the Strait of Hormuz under a proposal under discussion, if the US meets conditions — ABC News
- almost 2% jump in oil prices Tuesday after the Qeshm Island strike, per Semafor — Semafor
- Three US aircraft carrier strike groups expected near Iran within two weeks, per Semafor — Semafor
Three sides of the story
Liberal4 outlets
Diplomacy and threats side by side before midterms
ABC News, running an AP report, opens with the Middle East "braced for a possible return to all-out war" and walks through where things stand Monday, from Iran's delegation leaving Qatar to Khamenei's call for a response without "geographic limits." It quotes the UAE's Anwar Gargash saying "We don't really want to see another round of confrontation," and Egypt's foreign minister saying a second round would be "more dangerous, more destructive." CBS News calls the talks "punctuated" by threats, quotes Trump on targets to "take care of," and cites Axios sources saying Netanyahu pushes for strikes while Trump wants talks to play out.
Semafor's "Reading the signs of war in the Gulf" weighs the signals: oil falling Monday and rising almost 2% Tuesday, advances in Yemen, and three carrier groups expected near Iran. The New York Times headlines Gulf countries bracing for a possible renewal of the war as Trump's midterm deadline looms, and reports that Gulf Arab states are mediating between Washington and Tehran.
Center1 outlet
Trump weighs strikes while mediators push for deal
The Hill reports that mediators are pressing the U.S. and Iran for a deal to end the war while Trump mulls military strikes after Tuesday's midterms. It adds that Trump has said the war will end soon after the vote, without making clear how.
Conservative1 outlet
Gulf hosts of US bases fear Iranian retaliation
Just the News leads with Gulf allies that host U.S. bases being reportedly concerned they could become Iranian targets if combat resumes. It cites Khalid Al-Jaber of the Middle East Council on Global Affairs, who told the New York Times that people in the Gulf fear it is "just a matter of time." It reports that Rubio said Trump has not decided while talks go on, but the U.S. is prepared to respond militarily.
It says the U.S. has reportedly told several Gulf allies to prepare for a short, intense campaign after the midterms, and that an additional Patriot system is being sent to Israel. Sources told the Journal that U.S. forces are restocking munitions and that bombers and fighters are preparing for strikes. The report ends with Monday's U.S. strikes in the Strait of Hormuz, citing AP and an unnamed U.S. official.
Which side made the stronger case?
All sources: 6 articles from 6 outlets
Liberal (4)
- ABC News: Where things stand on Iran after a tense weekend
- CBS News: Push for U.S.-Iran deal punctuated by threats to resume fighting
- Semafor: Reading the signs of war in the Gulf
Center (1)
Conservative (1)
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