Iranian negotiators have held talks with Qatari mediators as Tehran warns of retaliation for any renewed attacks.
US President Donald Trump has made no decision whether to strike Iran again, even though peace talks remain stalled, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Saturday.
“We can achieve military objectives if we seek to,” Rubio told reporters at a press conference in Atlanta, Georgia, where he was hosting G20 foreign ministers for a two-day meeting.
However, he stressed that Trump “hasn’t made a decision” on further military action, amid reports that Washington could resume strikes after Tuesday’s US midterm elections.
“I have no announcement in that regard with you today, and nor do we take any of it lightly,” Rubio said.
The secretary accused Tehran of “actively and openly” targeting commercial vessels but emphasized that Trump preferred a diplomatic solution. He declined to assess the progress of negotiations or provide a timeline for a possible agreement.
“I’m not going to characterize neither the progress on those talks nor any time frame on it, other than to tell you that if there is a diplomatic solution, we would be open to it,” Rubio said.
His remarks came as Iranian negotiators held talks with Qatari mediators in Doha on Saturday in an effort to prevent renewed hostilities, Reuters reported, citing a source familiar with the discussions.
The meeting followed more than 12 hours of negotiations between Iranian and Qatari officials in Tehran on Friday. According to the source, the diplomatic efforts were being coordinated through regular contacts with Washington.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told Al Jazeera on Saturday that Tehran had reviewed a letter from US Vice President J.D. Vance, and described Washington’s attempt to reopen dialogue as a “positive step.”
“My aide is currently in Qatar to continue consultations,” Araghchi said, confirming that an Iranian delegation was participating in the mediation efforts.
The letter, reportedly sent to a senior Iranian security official earlier this week, was seen as an attempt to explore the possibility of restarting negotiations. Trump, however, downplayed its significance, saying he had authorized discussions concerning the delivery of medical supplies to Iran.
According to Reuters, Qatar has proposed a seven-day plan involving reciprocal confidence-building measures by Washington and Tehran ahead of broader peace negotiations. Iranian officials reportedly find the proposal unsatisfactory.
Tehran has instead advocated its own plan, which would require Washington to lift its blockade of Iranian ports, unfreeze assets, and approve an Iranian-backed shipping arrangement through the Strait of Hormuz before the strategic waterway can be reopened.
Meanwhile, Iranian Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei warned Washington and Israel against launching further attacks, ordering the country’s armed forces to prepare for an immediate response.
In a statement published on Saturday by his office, Khamenei required “maximum deterrence” through preparedness for “an immediate and effective response, without geographical restriction” if the country is attacked again.
Trump, who alongside Israel launched the military campaign against Iran in February, has repeatedly suggested that Washington could resume strikes. He recently said he was considering whether to “finish them off,” fueling speculation about renewed military action after the US midterm elections.
