Qatar continues mediation efforts to ease US-Iran tensions after midterm elections

Qatar's prime minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani, confirmed that mediation efforts between the United States and Iran are ongoing to prevent escalation, according to Edenmagnet and Free Malaysia Today reports.

Al-Thani expressed confidence that a settlement could be reached, emphasizing the goal of achieving a good agreement rather than a perfect one. He noted that the US administration remains interested in finding a solution even after the recent midterm elections.

Reports have emerged of missile strikes on Qeshm Island in the Strait of Hormuz, with Iran's semi-official Tasnim news agency stating two missiles hit the island but no official damage information was available. The US has not officially confirmed any attacks on Iranian targets but President Donald Trump acknowledged targeting an air defense system, describing the action as minor.

Regional countries had anticipated potential US strikes on Iran following the elections, as Trump had refrained from attacks in the weeks leading up to voting. Iran has warned it would retaliate against US and Israeli targets in neighboring countries if attacked.

Iran has proposed a seven-day plan since September, which includes lifting a blockade of Iranian ports, unfreezing assets, and approving an Iranian-backed route through the Strait of Hormuz, but this plan has been rejected by the US administration, according to the sources.