Iran talks stall as threats mount

Qatari mediators conducted their third consecutive day of closed-door talks on Sunday, attempting to prevent a resumption of hostilities between the United States and Iran. The diplomatic effort faces immediate pressure from public threats issued by both governments and a new incident in the Strait of Hormuz.

President Trump told reporters on Sunday that he had a "very good talk" with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Saturday. The two leaders discussed the ongoing war in Iran. According to sources cited by Axios, Netanyahu pushed Trump to strike Iran, but the U.S. president wants to allow the current negotiations to proceed.

Trump has previously suggested he might resume attacks on Iran after the midterm elections. On Saturday, he stated that the U.S. still had to "take care of" one or two more potential targets in Iran. He specifically cited a suspected nuclear complex at Pickaxe Mountain. On Sunday, he reiterated this threat, saying he may have to give Tehran "the hammer" at an unspecified time.

Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei issued a counter-warning on Saturday. He stated that if fighting resumes, there will be no "geographical limitations." Khamenei added that there is a "vast theatre" available to inflict damage on the United States.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said negotiators are in Qatar discussing a proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz soon. Araghchi noted that the outcome depends on answers provided by the United States. The U.S. and Iran are engaging in indirect talks led by Qatari mediators who are pushing for a deal before the conflict escalates further.

Anwar Gargash, a presidential adviser for the United Arab Emirates, spoke at a security forum in Bahrain on Sunday. He said his country hopes for a diplomatic solution but is bracing for escalation. Gargash described the current period as a "watershed year" for the region, citing Iranian attacks on Gulf countries.

"We don't really want to see another round of confrontation in the region," Gargash told the audience. He added that the UAE and the wider region are preparing for "the worst," which he defined as the resumption of active hostilities. The UAE was targeted by Tehran in the opening weeks of the war in retribution for U.S. strikes. Those attacks disrupted tourism and daily life in the emirate.

A merchant vessel was struck by an "unknown projectile" in the Strait of Hormuz on Sunday, according to Britain's UKMTO maritime agency. The master of the ship relayed a mayday call regarding the incident. Earlier in the week, Qatar's state news agency reported that the liquefied natural gas carrier Al Mayeda was attacked on Friday with unidentified objects while transiting Gulf waters. No crew members were injured, and there was no environmental impact from that earlier attack.

Iran has targeted vessels in the Strait of Hormuz and the wider Gulf since the war began in February. These strikes are part of an effort to assert control over shipping lanes in the region.