Tehran calls US reply 'not convincing' – Qatar talks of an 'interim deal' (3 November 2026)

By Omid57.info Editorial Desk · Published 3 November 2026 · 3 min read

CBS, Al Jazeera and AP on 3 November 2026: Mohsen Rezaei finds Washington's answer insufficient, Qatar expects feedback within 36 hours, and attacks on ships continue.

On Tuesday, 3 November 2026, the day Americans voted in the midterm elections, Tehran's tone on a deal cooled. International media report fading hopes for a quick end to the war, although Qatar's mediation continues.

"Not convincing"

According to CBS News, Mohsen Rezaei, secretary of the Supreme National Security Council, wrote on X that the US response to "Iran's rights and demands" was not convincing. Al Jazeera adds that, in his words, the US must address Iran's conditions "fully and explicitly" before the Strait of Hormuz fully reopens. Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said Iran is "not afraid" of diplomacy but approaches it with "utmost caution and complete distrust".

That sounds different from the day before: according to AP, the same Rezaei had said the tone had "completely changed" and called it "a very good sign".

Qatar: working on an "interim deal"

Qatar's foreign ministry spokesman Majed Al Ansari told CBS that Doha is working towards an "interim deal" and both sides are reviewing the ideas. Reuters, citing an official, reports that mediators made a "new suggestion" and expect feedback within 36 hours. According to AP, the framework under discussion would have Iran stop attacks in the Strait of Hormuz and the US lift its blockade of Iranian ports.

Response to Qeshm, insecurity at sea

Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi said after the US strike on Qeshm that Iran retains its "right to legitimate self-defence". The Revolutionary Guards said Iran will decide the time and conditions for ending the "enemy's attacks", but announced no concrete retaliation plan.

At sea, CBS reports that an Indian seafarer died after an attack on a vessel off Oman; India's shipping minister confirmed the death. The UK agency UKMTO also reported two projectiles hitting the engine room of a tanker north-east of Oman. The reports do not say who was responsible.

Pressure from both sides

AP, citing people familiar with the matter, reports that Netanyahu urged Trump in a weekend call to launch a "quick but extensive" air campaign after the election; Trump did not commit. Vice President JD Vance, by contrast, said he and Trump feel "pretty good" about the prospects for a negotiated settlement.

Editorial note

Both sides speak of "progress" and "distrust" at the same time – that is part of bargaining. The outcome of the US election is likely to shape Washington's tone. For people in Iran and for sailors in the Gulf, what matters is time: every day without a deal means more risk, more inflation and a harder daily life.

This article was prepared by the Omid57.info editorial desk with the help of AI tools and is reviewed after publication. Quotes are kept short; please read the full text at the original source.