Iranian Official Says Deal With US Is Far Off as Strikes and Drone Downing Are Reported

Tehran, Iran. A senior Iranian official told Reuters on Tuesday that Iran and the United States are still far from an agreement to end the war, even though diplomatic activity has intensified to head off a possible return to active fighting after the US midterm elections.

Overnight military incidents

The US struck Iran’s Qeshm island overnight in what were described as defensive strikes. A US official said the targets were surface-to-air missiles that had been used against US assets. The Revolutionary Guards separately said they shot down a US MQ-9 drone in the night over the area east of the Strait of Hormuz.

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Mediation and Tehran’s conditions

Qatari mediators travelled to Tehran on Monday night to discuss a version of the draft US-Iran agreement, which has been under negotiation for the past eight days. The Iranian official said the mediators were working hard to close the gaps between the two capitals.

The official warned that “Tehran’s conditions must be met if the US wants Hormuz reopened.” He added that nuclear negotiations could begin only after that step, and that Iran would reject what it sees as unreasonable demands from Washington. He also said Tehran would answer any US strikes forcefully, both in the region and beyond.

Statements by Iran’s parliament speaker

Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf said on Tuesday that it was now up to Washington to make the next move, after Tehran delivered a firm and reasoned reply. He said the enemy was trying to coerce the Iranian people through threats and military action, but was badly mistaken, and declared that “Iran will not submit.” Qalibaf added that Tehran’s reaction to any US miscalculation would be unpredictable and would not be limited by geography.

Trump’s remarks

On Monday, US President Donald Trump expressed doubt over whether he would carry out his threat to resume military strikes on Iran after Tuesday’s midterm elections. He said he believed Tehran wanted to reach a deal as soon as possible.

Regional diplomacy

Alongside the exchange of messages between the US and Iran through intermediaries, regional efforts are under way to prevent further escalation. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said on Tuesday that talks between Iran and Saudi Arabia are continuing. He said Tehran seeks new security arrangements for countries in the region that do not involve foreign military forces.