US Strikes Iranian Air Defences as Tehran Weighs Qatar-Mediated Proposal

US President Donald Trump speaks to reporters after arriving aboard Air Force One at President Donald J. Trump International Airport in West Palm Beach, Florida, on 6 November 2026. Photo: AP.

The proposal would pair relief from the US blockade with renewed access for nuclear inspectors. Washington separately offered up to $20 million for information on Iran’s nuclear programme.

Key Highlights

• President Donald Trump said US forces struck an Iranian air defence system on 6 November. Iranian state media reported two explosions on Qeshm Island.
• Regional officials told the Associated Press that Qatar had presented a two-day proposal intended to pave the way for formal nuclear talks.
• The US State Department’s reward offer covers information on Iran’s nuclear facilities, equipment and personnel, and includes possible relocation.

Washington: US forces carried out a limited strike on an Iranian air defence system on Friday, 6 November, President Donald Trump said, as Tehran considered proposals conveyed by Qatar to ease the conflict and reopen nuclear negotiations. Iranian state media reported two explosions in the Suza area of Qeshm Island, near the Strait of Hormuz.

Speaking to reporters after arriving in West Palm Beach, Florida, Trump described the operation as “minor”. Earlier on Friday, he said contacts with Tehran were continuing. “We are talking to Iran. We have been,” he told reporters. The White House declined to comment on the proposals conveyed by Qatar.

Qatar Proposes Two Days of Initial Measures

Regional officials told AP that Qatar’s proposal set out a sequence of steps to build trust before formal talks. Under the plan, Washington would lift its blockade of Iranian ports and release some frozen Iranian funds. Tehran, in return, would allow International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) inspectors to visit nuclear sites struck by the United States and Israel.

On the second day, Iran would reopen the Strait of Hormuz under a temporary arrangement based on a modified understanding with Oman. The officials said Washington had yet to approve that arrangement. A longer-term agreement on the waterway would be pursued with other Gulf countries.

If those steps went ahead, the two sides would move to talks on Iran’s stockpile of highly enriched uranium and other aspects of its nuclear programme. AP cited an IAEA estimate of 440.9 kg of Iranian uranium enriched to up to 60 per cent. Iran maintains that its nuclear programme is peaceful.

Tehran Sets Conditions for Nuclear Talks

Iran says Washington must end the blockade, lift sanctions, unfreeze Iranian assets and provide compensation for war damage before nuclear negotiations begin. Tehran is also calling for an end to hostilities across the region, including Israeli military operations in Lebanon.

Qatar said its emir spoke with Trump on Friday about efforts to ease tensions. US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth also spoke with his Qatari counterpart, Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman Al Thani. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi held separate calls with his Iraqi and Tunisian counterparts, while Egypt urged both sides to show flexibility.

US Seeks Information on Iran’s Nuclear Programme

Separately, US Central Command said late on Friday that the State Department’s Rewards for Justice programme was offering up to $20 million and possible relocation for information about Iran’s nuclear programme. The notice seeks details about facilities, equipment and personnel, including scientists, as well as information about their movements.