Source Warns Strike Likely Soon as U.S.-Iran Talks Remain Deadlocked

A source familiar with the negotiations told Dror Balazada that none of the proposals discussed offers an agreement both sides could accept. Even Russian help would leave the chances of a deal low, the source said.

A military strike is likely in the near term as Washington and Tehran struggle to find an acceptable agreement, a source familiar with the negotiations told journalist Dror Balazada.

According to Balazada's report, the source said none of the proposals discussed so far provided terms both governments could accept. Russia's involvement offered the only chance of reaching an agreement, the source assessed, but even that possibility remained remote and would require major concessions from President Donald Trump.

"All the signs point to a strike being likely in the near term," the source added.

Qatar Keeps Negotiations Open

Qatar continued to describe an active negotiating process on November 3. Foreign Ministry spokesman Majed al-Ansari said Washington and Tehran were reviewing proposals and remained committed to the talks. Doha was coordinating with regional and international partners to narrow the differences and prevent further escalation, he said.

That diplomatic activity has yet to produce an agreement. A senior Iranian official told Reuters on Tuesday that the two sides remained far apart, while Qatari mediators pursued another version of a draft deal. Tehran continued to insist that its conditions must be met before it would reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

Russia's Possible Role

Balazada's assessment followed his separate Channel 14 report that Iran had approached Moscow for help with the negotiations, alongside requests for weapons, intelligence, financial assistance and support at the United Nations.

Citing a source involved in Russian-Iranian contacts, that report said possible arrangements included Russia guaranteeing a future agreement or receiving Iran's enriched uranium.

Iran's public position pointed in a different direction. Reuters reported that Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei was asked on Monday whether transferring the enriched uranium stockpile abroad had been raised in the talks and whether Tehran might agree. He answered no.

Iran Wants Relief Before Nuclear Talks

The dispute extends beyond whether the two sides are willing to exchange proposals. It also concerns which government must act first.

According to Reuters, Iran's proposed sequence includes ending the U.S. blockade of Iranian ports, reopening the Strait of Hormuz, allowing Iranian oil sales and removing new sanctions before negotiations move to other issues.

Baghaei said Tehran's seven step proposal could now be implemented within two days. But shortening the timetable did not change Iran's position: nuclear negotiations would follow only after it had established that its conditions had been met. Trump rejected the original proposal in September.

Limited Strikes Already Reported

The negotiations are taking place alongside military activity. The Wall Street Journal reported that U.S. forces attacked Iran's Qeshm Island on November 2, citing American officials.

Reuters subsequently reported that a U.S. official described the targets as surface to air missiles used against American assets. Another official characterized the operation as limited and said it did not signal a return to major combat operations.

Trump has continued to leave room for diplomacy. Speaking in Washington on Monday, he said Iran wanted an agreement and that one could happen. Vice President JD Vance also expressed optimism about a negotiated settlement, while acknowledging that further progress was needed.

Axios reported, citing U.S. and Israeli sources, that Netanyahu favored strikes after the midterms while Trump wanted negotiations to continue.