As speculations persist that U.S. President Donald Trump could resume attacks on Iran following the U.S. midterm elections held on November 3 (local time), a high-ranking Iranian official has stated that there is still a long way to go before reaching an agreement to end the war, appearing to adjust the pace of negotiations.

Speaking to Reuters on condition of anonymity, the high-ranking Iranian official said that the two sides are still far from reaching a deal to end the war.

"Nuclear negotiations can only begin after Iran's conditions are met, and we will never accept excessive demands from the U.S. side," the official said.

The official added that Iran would respond strongly both inside and outside the Middle East against any U.S. attacks.

While Iran recently proposed a so-called "two-day plan" to the U.S. through Qatar and has continued indirect talks with the U.S. side, the atmosphere suggests that Tehran is not rushing an agreement and is instead observing the results of the U.S. midterm elections held today to formulate its response.

The core of the two-day plan proposed by Iran is that on the first day, the U.S. lifts the blockade on Iranian ports, approves the suspension of oil sanctions, and withdraws new sanctions, and on the second day, Iran reopens the Strait of Hormuz.

Mohsen Rezaei, Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) and a hardliner, also wrote on X (formerly Twitter) on the same day that "the U.S. response to Iran's rights and demands was unconvincing," stating that the strait will only open if the U.S. fully accepts the conditions presented by Iran.

Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi similarly shifted the ball to the U.S., stating, "All outcomes depend on political rationality in Washington."

Amid prevailing public opinion against war, President Trump has hinted at progress in negotiations with Iran while keeping the possibility of additional strikes open and maintaining military pressure.

In a previously reported interview with U.S. media outlet Axios, President Trump said regarding the possible resumption of attacks on Iran, "There is no need to rush, and talks are going well."

However, in an interview with Fox News on the same day, President Trump left open the possibility of further strikes regarding the direction of the conflict with Iran, saying, "I don't want to kill a lot of people, but if we have to, we will."

Shortly afterward, just hours before the closing of midterm polls, he continued his signature push-and-pull diplomatic rhetoric in an interview with the Financial Times (FT), stating, "We are fully prepared to strike whenever necessary, but there may be no reason to do so."

Qatar, acting as a mediator, reported that there has been progress in the indirect negotiations.

In a statement on November 3, Majid Al Ansari, spokesperson for Qatar's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said regarding the mediation efforts, "Work is currently underway to narrow differences, and there is clear progress in the talks between the two sides."

Amid ongoing indirect negotiations, military tensions around the Strait of Hormuz also persist.

The previous day, the U.S. attacked Kish Island, a strategic stronghold of Iran located in the Strait of Hormuz.

U.S. officials explained that the strike on Kish Island was a defensive measure.

In his Fox News interview on the same day, President Trump did not explicitly mention Kish Island, but stated that Iran's air defense facilities were struck immediately after completion.

Attacks targeting oil tankers have also continued in the Strait of Hormuz area.

The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) reported that on November 3, an oil tanker was hit by two unidentified projectiles in waters about 26 kilometers northeast of Lima, Oman.

The UKMTO also reported that the previous day, a vessel near the Strait of Hormuz was struck by an unidentified projectile, leaving a hole on its starboard side.

According to The New York Times (NYT), 35 ships were attacked in the Strait of Hormuz during the month of October, the highest number since the outbreak of the war.

(Photo: AP, Yonhap News)