Araqchi Says Strait of Hormuz Could Reopen In 48 Hours, Instead Of A Week
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said the Strait of Hormuz could be reopened in two days instead of seven, as per a suggestion by Qatar, if his country's conditions were accepted.
Quoting Araqchi, Iran’s official Press TV reported on November 1 that his country had continued diplomatic consultations through Qatari mediators over the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.
"There has been no meeting with the American delegation, nor has one been planned," Araqchi said. He added that his country was currently discussing its own proposal through intermediaries.
The Iranian foreign minister said a senior Iranian diplomat had traveled to Qatar to continue discussions following a recent visit by a Qatari delegation to Tehran for talks with Iranian officials on October 30. On October 26, a three-member delegation of the so-called Mecca Defense Alliance held talks with Iranian security officials.
Intense diplomatic efforts by regional and international players continue, even as both Iran and the United States maintain a confrontational stance in the war, now in its ninth month.
US President Donald Trump renewed his threat to strike Iran on October 31, saying US forces still have one or two targets "to take care of," including Pickaxe Mountain, the notorious underground site where US officials say Tehran has moved thousands of centrifuges.
"We've knocked out their nuclear," Trump told reporters late on October 31 during a trip to Florida. "We still have to take care of, I would say one or two sites, but we can do that in 10 minutes."
Earlier, a message attributed to Iran's supreme leader warned Israel and the United States against resuming their air strikes.
"Any level or type of threat must be met with an immediate, impactful, and geographically unrestricted response," Iranian media, quoting Mojtaba Khamenei, said on October 31.
Pakistan-Bound Cargo Ship Targeted Near Hormuz Strait
A Pakistan-bound cargo vessel carrying liquified natural gas (LNG) was hit near the Strait of Hormuz with the green light from Iranian authorities, the Bloomberg news agency reported on November 1.
There was no comment from the Pakistani or Iranian authorities about the incident. But Doha News, a Qatar-based digital news platform, reported on November 1 that its LNG carrier, Al Mayeda, was struck by unidentified objects while transiting the Arabian Gulf on the evening of October 30.
According to Bloomberg, Pakistan negotiated with Iran to secure safe passage for the liquified natural gas carrier Al Mayeda before the ship was attacked near the Strait of Hormuz.
Pakistan is mostly dependent on its LNG and LPG imports from Qatar and Iran. According to the World Bank, Qatar supplied approximately 4.5 million tons of LNG to Pakistan in 2025, accounting for almost all of the country's LNG imports.
However, LNG imports have been affected by the US-Iran war. Earlier in October, prices for liquified petroleum gas (LPG) in Pakistan recorded an increase of more than 100 percent due to the closure of Pakistan’s border crossing with Iran.
Pakistan imports roughly 7,000 metric tons of LPG per day from Iran, according to the Pakistan LPG Association.
In mid-October, Pakistan closed its two border crossings with Iran for "technical reasons," causing hundreds of trucks to be stranded on both sides of the border.
Quoting unnamed sources, the Bloomberg report said that the Marshall Islands-flagged vessel was sailing toward the waterway loaded with LNG from Qatar when it came under fire.
Just hours earlier, Iranian authorities were understood to have provided a green light, said the report while quoting the unnamed sources. The ship subsequently turned around and headed into the Persian Gulf, according to ship-tracking data.
Iran has effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz, the international waterway accounting for roughly 20 percent of world oil supplies, since the start of US-Iran war on February 28.
Iran Designates Britain's MI6 A 'Hostile Group'
Iran has designated Britain's Secret Intelligence Service (MI6) as a "hostile" group and declared the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force "terrorist organizations."
Accusing the British government of "hostile actions," the regime’s Foreign Ministry said in a Novemer 1 statement that this step was taken as a retaliatory move against London.
The Iranian Foreign Ministry cited Britain’s military and logistical support for the United States and Israel against Iran. It also mentioned the placing of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) under the State Threat Act 2026 by the British authorities on July 13.
Iran’s designation of the top British security agencies comes at a time when regional and international actors have continued their mediation efforts to find a negotiated settlement to the lingering Middle East conflict that has now entered its ninth month.
Trump Renews Iran Threat, Says US Still Needs To 'Take Care' Of 1 Or 2 Targets
US President Donald Trump renewed his threat to strike Iran, saying US forces still have one or two targets "to take care of," including Pickaxe Mountain, the notorious underground site where US officials say Tehran has moved thousands of centrifuges.
"We've knocked out their nuclear," Trump told reporters late on October 31 during a trip to Florida.
"We still have to take care of, I would say one or two sites, but we can do that in 10 minutes."
"You probably could look at Pickaxe Mountain, and you have to take care of that. We can do that all very quickly," he added.
Trump has several times suggested he could relaunch military strikes after the US holds its midterm elections -- which will decide which party controls the House of Representatives and Senate – on November 3.
Still, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on October 31 suggested strikes were not a certainty, saying that "if there is a diplomatic solution, we would be open to it."
Trump would "prefer to solve it diplomatically. But I think what the president expresses to you is incredible confidence that if we needed to do something militarily, we would have the ability to do it," Rubio added.
Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, following indecisive elections in that country, has spoken of a "historic, one-time opportunity" to topple the government in Tehran.
Earlier on October 31, a message attributed to Iran's supreme leader warned Israel and the US against resuming airstrikes as tensions mounted in the region following the Israeli election and ahead of US midterm voting.
"Any level or type of threat must be met with an immediate, impactful, and geographically unrestricted response," the supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, told top military commanders, according to a statement.
Khamenei, according to the statement, also ordered military commanders to update Iran's target list to include "all types of tangible and intangible assets belonging to the American-Zionist enemy."
Khamenei has not been seen in public since the start of US-Israeli air strikes on February 28 amid reports that he had been severely injured in the attacks. Statements have periodically been released in his name.
With reporting by AFP
Iran's Khamenei Issues Threat, But Security Chief Sees 'Good Sign' In Vance Letter
A message attributed to Iran's supreme leader warned Israel and the United States against resuming airstrikes against the Islamic republic as tensions mounted in the region following the Israeli election and ahead of US midterm voting.
"Any level or type of threat must be met with an immediate, impactful, and geographically unrestricted response," the supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, told top military commanders, according to a statement.
Khamenei, according to the statement, also ordered military commanders to update Iran's target list to include "all types of tangible and intangible assets belonging to the American-Zionist enemy."
Khamenei has not been seen in public since the start of US-Israeli air strikes on February 28 amid reports that he had been severely injured in the attacks. Statements have periodically been released in his name.
In the US, President Donald Trump has suggested he could relaunch military strikes after the US holds its elections -- which will decide control of the House of Representatives and Senate – on November 3.
Still, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on October 31 said that "if there is a diplomatic solution we would be open to it."
Trump would "prefer to solve it diplomatically. But I think what the president expresses to you is incredible confidence that if we needed to do something militarily, we would have the ability to do it," Rubio added.
Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, following indecisive elections in that country, has spoken of a "historic, one-time opportunity" to topple the government in Tehran.
In an effort to head off any fresh fighting, Qatari mediators traveled to Tehran on October 30, while US Vice President JD Vance gas sent a letter to Iran's security chief Mohsen Rezaei.
"I read the letter," Rezaei, chief of Iran's supreme national security council, said in a video broadcast on Iranian state TV. "I haven't yet responded. Their tone has completely changed," he added, describing that as "a good sign."
Trump said Vance's letter to Tehran concerned efforts to help Iran get medical supplies, denying US media reports that it had been sent to an Iranian security official to revive peace talks.
"They need help with medical supplies and various things," Trump told reporters on October 28, adding that Vance "asked me what I thought. I said, if you want to do that, that's okay. Basically, it's getting supplies in to help people that are not well."
With reporting by AFP
Trump Says Vance Sent Letter To Iran To 'Help' With Medicine
US Vice President JD Vance's letter to Tehran concerned efforts to help Iran get medical supplies, President Donald Trump said, denying US media reports that it had been sent to an Iranian security official to revive peace talks.
"They need help with medical supplies and various things," Trump told reporters on October 28, adding that Vance "asked me what I thought. I said, if you want to do that, that's okay. Basically, it's getting supplies in to help people that are not well."
There was no immediate comment from Tehran, but Iranian media reported on October 29 that Tehran had received the letter and was yet to respond.
Trump's remark came on the same day The Wall Street Journal and The New York Times reportedthat the US president had directed Vance to send the letter to Iranian security chief. Mohsen Rezaei, in an effort to resume negotiations and avert new US strikes on Iran.
For the past few months, peace efforts to end the protracted conflict between the United States and Iran have effectively stalled.
The two countries remained apart on the negotiating terms, with Washington imposing more sanctions against Iran and resuming its maritime blockade of the country's ports. Tehran, for its part, has continued to disrupt shipping through the key Strait of Hormuz, keeping global oil prices soaring.
Asked if Vance's letter was actually sent to Iran to give a fresh start to the talks, Trump said: "No."
On October 28, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said his country was discussing a seven-day plan to end the war with mediators, a framework previously rejected by Trump that included demands for the removal of sanctions on Iran's oil sector and other easing measures.
Iranian media reported that Tehran viewed any position that undermined its proposed framework as unacceptable to the country.
With reporting by AFP and Reuters
Saudis Report Intercepting Ballistic Missile Fired by Iran-Backed Houthis
The Saudi-led coalition battling Yemen's Iran-allied Houthi rebels on October 29 said it had intercepted a ballistic missile fired by the group into the kingdom.
"Air defenses intercepted and destroyed a ballistic missile launched by the terrorist Houthi militia toward the Eastern Province," coalition spokesman Turki al-Malki posted on X.
Saudi authorities issued two alerts warning of potential danger in Najran, in southwestern Saudi Arabia, and in the Eastern Province, before announcing minutes later that the danger had passed in both areas
Saudi Arabia has in recent weeks come under intensified attack from the Houthis, including a deadly missile strike on Riyadh's international airport.
Following a fragile four-year cease-fire, fighting resumed in Yemen in July as an offshoot of the US-Iran conflict.
The Houthis are battling the internationally recognized government in Yemen, which is allied with Saudi Arabia.
With reporting by AFP and Reuters
Iran Pushes Rejected 7-Day Peace Plan, Warns Against New Israeli Strikes
Iran said it was discussing with mediators the possibility of implementing a plan to end the Middle East conflict and reopen the important Strait of Hormuz, but it also warned of "devastating" economic consequences if Israel should attack the country following this week's week's Israeli election.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi on October 28 claimed that Tehran was giving "diplomacy a chance to succeed," as it discussed a seven-day plan to end the war and reopen the crucial waterway.
"While our Brave Armed Forces are fully prepared to defend the Homeland, Iran continues to give diplomacy a chance to succeed," he said in a post on X.
"We remain in close and ongoing contact with intermediaries to review ideas that can ensure implementation of our 7-Day Plan in even less than a week."
Araqchi said at the time that under the plan, the strait would reopen within seven days if "necessary conditions," including a cease-fire across the Middle East, were met. Iran also demanded the unfreezing of its assets held abroad, the removal of sanctions on its oil sector, and an end to the US naval blockade.
US President Donald Trump has previously rejected the plan, which Iran initially proposed last month.
Earlier on October 28, a senior Iranian official denied that Qatar presented Tehran with a new peace proposal, contradicting an account from an official briefed on negotiations.
The Iranian official told Reuters that Qatar had instead put forward ideas that were unacceptable to Tehran, adding that Iran would show no flexibility on the nuclear issue.
The remarks come amid mounting US and Israeli threats of renewed attacks against Iran after a lull following the launch of the war in February.
Meanwhile, Benjamin Netanyahu looked set to remain Israel's caretaker prime minister after surprisingly strong support among voters left his opponents little apparent prospect of unseating him, despite his right-wing bloc losing its parliamentary majority.
Netanyahu would remain caretaker during any coalition negotiations and possibly until another election next year. A caretaker government generally faces some restraints, but experts have said it retains the power to launch a fresh attack on Iran.
Araqchi warned against any such strikes.
"Devastating impact on int'l markets of any Israel-instigated military misadventure in Persian Gulf region remains major concern for both gas suppliers and consumers," he said in a post on X.
With reporting by AFP and Reuters
Kuwait Summons Iranian Envoy Over 'Interference' In Assassination Plot Case
Kuwait summoned Iran's ambassador on October 28 to protest against a statement by Tehran's embassy denying that an Iranian national was involved in an alleged plot to assassinate a senior Kuwaiti official.
The move came after Kuwaiti judicial sources told AFP that three Shi'ite men had been sentenced to death on charges of plotting to kill Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Fahad al-Yousef, collaborating with Iran, and belonging to Hezbollah, which the United States designates as a terrorist organization.
Iran's embassy rejected the allegations, saying the Iranian national implicated in the case had been outside Kuwait for 10 years.
Kuwait's Foreign Ministry said the embassy's statement constituted interference in its internal affairs and undermined the independence of its judiciary.
It also called on Iran to respect international law and the UN Charter, particularly the principle of good-neighborliness.
Gulf states have arrested dozens of suspected members of Iran-linked cells since the regional war began in February.
With reporting by AFP and Reuters
Iran Says Qatar's Peace Ideas Unacceptable, Says Official
A senior Iranian official has denied that Qatar presented Tehran with a new peace proposal, contradicting an earlier account from an official briefed on negotiations to end the war with the United States and Israel.
The Iranian official told Reuters on October 28 that Qatar had instead put forward ideas that were unacceptable to Tehran, adding that Iran would show no flexibility on the nuclear issue.
Earlier, citing an official briefed on the negotiations, Reuters reported that Qatari mediators had presented Iran with a new draft agreement aimed at ending the war with the United States and Israel, with Tehran expected to respond by the end of the week.
According to that official, the proposal envisages a seven-day implementation period, potentially beginning early next week, during which both sides would take daily confidence-building steps. Several countries would act as guarantors of the agreement, the official said, without identifying them.
Qatar and Pakistan have led mediation efforts to end the war launched by the United States and Israel in February, which has disrupted global shipping and oil supplies and spread across the Middle East.
An interim peace agreement reached in June quickly unraveled.
The latest diplomatic push comes amid fears of renewed hostilities. US President Donald Trump threatened further strikes against Iran on October 23, while Iranian security officials told Reuters that Tehran had drawn up plans to attack undersea cables in the Gulf if US and Israeli attacks resumed.