Qatari mediators held talks in Tehran aimed at restarting direct U.S.-Iran negotiations, source says

An AI-based anti-U.S. animation depicting Lego-shaped images of the Chinese Dragon, the legendary Persian Simurgh, and the Statue of Liberty is displayed during the 2nd Media-Expo International Exhibition in Tehran, Iran, on October 29, 2026. (Photo by Morteza Nikoubazl/NurPhoto via Getty Images)Nurphoto | Nurphoto | Getty ImagesQatari mediators have held talks with Iranian officials in an attempt to restart direct negotiations between Washington and Tehran, an official source familiar with the discussions told CNBC on Saturday.Iran promised a "geographically unrestricted response" to any new attacks by the U.S.Qatari mediators held more than 12 hours of talks in Tehran on Friday to reach a deal to avoid a possible resumption of American-led attacks on Iran after the U.S. midterm elections, the source said, speaking on condition of anonymity. Axios first reported the talks, which it said are set to continue in the Qatari capital, Doha, on Saturday.A preliminary agreement signed on June 17 between the U.S. and Iran to halt the fighting — which began on Feb. 28 with U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iranian targets — broke down weeks later.On Tuesday, U.S. President Donald Trump reiterated...