US-Iran talks end without deal

Fears of a wider Middle East war mount as Trump weighs further strikes ahead of the midterms The latest round of indirect US-Iran talks has ended without a deal, raising fears that renewed American strikes could trigger a wider Middle East war.The United States and Israel launched a military campaign against Iran in late February, triggering months of fighting that disrupted global energy supplies and shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. US President Donald Trump has repeatedly threatened further hostilities, with media reports suggesting Washington could resume strikes after the November 3 midterm elections.Iranian negotiators left Doha on Sunday after three days of Qatari-mediated talks. An official told Reuters on Monday that further talks are possible, stressing that the delegation’s departure did not signal a breakdown in negotiations.The discussions have focused on a seven-step plan submitted by Tehran in September. It calls for Washington to lift its naval blockade, ease restrictions on Iranian oil exports and release frozen assets in exchange for reopening Hormuz and continuing negotiations.Trump rejected the initial proposal, insisting that any deal must address Iran’s n...