Gulf officials fear the worst as indirect US-Iran talks in Doha enter third day

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Indirect US-Iran talks in Doha enter third day as Gulf officials await Washington's reply

Indirect talks in Doha ran into a third day on Sunday, with Qatar trying to negotiate the release of more than $6bn in Iranian assets. Gulf officials are awaiting Washington's response to an Iranian proposal that could reopen the Strait of Hormuz before the US midterms. Both sides continue to trade warnings even as they speak of diplomacy.

• Iran's foreign minister Abbas Araghchi says Iran and Qatar have worked out a plan to reopen the Strait of Hormuz within two days, provided the US meets Tehran's conditions.
• Iran's security chief called a reported letter from US Vice-President JD Vance a 'positive' shift.
• Trump says the talks are going fine, while Iranian leaders say they are ready to respond to any US attack. Iran's supreme leader said on Saturday any response would not be limited by geography.
• Iranian lawmakers have urged withdrawal from the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, and senators were briefed on a reported Trump plan to restart the war.