Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araqchi said talks with Saudi Arabia were continuing to establish new regional security arrangements that would exclude foreign military involvement. (AFP pic)DUBAI: Iran and the US remain far from a deal to end the war, a senior Iranian official told Reuters on Tuesday, despite intensified diplomatic efforts to avert a return to major conflict after the US midterm elections.
Overnight, the US carried out "defensive" strikes on Iran's Qeshm island, with a US official saying the strikes targeted surface-to-air missiles used against US assets.
Another official said the strikes appeared to be limited and did not signal a resumption of major combat operations.
Qatar has stepped up mediation efforts amid fears the conflict launched by the US and Israel in February could reignite after Tuesday's elections.
