An AI-based anti-American animation depicting Lego-shaped images of a Chinese dragon, the legendary Persian Simurgh, and the Statue of Liberty was exhibited at the 2nd Media Expo International Exhibition in Tehran, Iran, on October 29, 2026. (Photo credit: Morteza Nikoubazl/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
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Qatari mediators have held talks with Iranian officials with a view to resuming direct negotiations between the U.S. and Tehran, officials familiar with the talks told CNBC on Saturday.
Iran has promised a ‘geographically unrestricted response’ to new US attacks
Qatari mediators held more than 12 hours of talks in Tehran on Friday to reach a deal that averts a possible renewed U.S.-led offensive against Iran after the U.S. midterm elections, the people said on condition of anonymity.
Axios first reported on the talks, announcing on Saturday that talks were expected to continue in Qatar’s capital Doha.
A preliminary agreement signed between the United States and Iran on June 17 to halt fighting began with attacks on Iranian targets by the United States and Israel on February 28, but collapsed a few weeks later.
On Tuesday, US President Donald Trump reiterated his claim that the Iran war will end “whenever I want.” “It’s going to be very quick, but we have to end it properly,” Trump said, making a “complete statement” that Iran will never acquire nuclear weapons.
The last confirmed US attack on Iran was on September 1st. President Trump previously left open the possibility that attacks on Iran could resume after the Nov. 3 midterm elections, scheduled for Tuesday. The Iranian government said it was preparing a military response to any attack by the United States.
A statement posted Saturday on Iranian Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei’s Telegram account said: “Threats of any level or type must be met with an immediate, impactful and geographically unrestricted response.”
Delivery attacks continue
The Iranian Broadcasting Authority quoted Hormozgan provincial officials as saying that the US military attacked two fishing boats off the coast of Masan near Qeshm Island in the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday. This report has not been independently verified.
U.S. Central Command did not immediately respond to CNBC’s request for comment.
This is the latest report on attacks on ships in economically important waters.
The UK Maritime Trade Operations Center reported on Friday that the crude oil tanker was struck by an unknown projectile as it exited the Channel.
Brent crude oil price, USD per barrel, year-to-date
Separately, Iran said on Friday that four tankers struck sea mines in the Strait of Hormuz and Yemen’s Houthis claimed missile attacks on Saudi Arabia, increasing pressure on two fronts.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps said three tankers caught fire after being struck by sea mines on a route called the “unauthorized southern route” near the Omani coast. The Iranian military said a fourth person had caught fire east of the strait.
Oil prices rose more than 2% on Friday to settle at their highest since late April as traders braced for a possible escalation of civil war.
brent crude oil December futures expiring on Friday rose $2.76, or 2.4%, to settle at $117.64 per barrel, after hitting a high of $118. The more active January contract rose $2.63 to $113.43.
