Iran has issued a strong warning that any new military conflict with the United States could surpass the previous conflict in duration. Iranian Army spokesperson Mohammad Akraminia emphasized that Tehran would not allow Washington to dictate the timing or terms of any future conflict’s conclusion, asserting Iran’s right to determine its response to any military aggression.
Iranian Defense Minister Mehrdad Akhlaghi reiterated that any attack on Iran would prompt a proportionate and decisive response. He stressed that Iran would not permit its adversaries to control the scale, timing, or consequences of its defensive actions. In a similar vein, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps cautioned that a potential conflict with the U.S. could have implications extending beyond a specific geographical area, thereby affecting a wider region.
Despite these warnings, diplomatic efforts aimed at resolving tensions are ongoing. Iranian negotiators have been engaged in discussions with Qatari mediators in Doha, continuing for a third consecutive day. These talks are part of initiatives to reach an agreement that could end the ongoing hostilities between the U.S., Israel, and Iran.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi noted that the ongoing discussions with Qatar aim to continue consultations. He affirmed that Tehran remains open to both diplomatic and defensive measures. Araghchi also confirmed that negotiations over a proposed two-day initiative are still in progress, though no final agreement has been reached yet.
As the U.S. midterm elections on November 3 approach, there are concerns that hostilities could escalate afterward. U.S. President Donald Trump has stated that Washington would refrain from launching new attacks on Iran before the elections, while acknowledging that negotiations with Tehran have been productive. However, he has not ruled out the possibility of further military actions post-election.