Iran is running diplomacy and escalation in parallel: Araghchi says Tehran is ready for serious talks but wants "rationality" from the US, while the supreme leader orders a "geographically unrestricte

What happened: Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Tehran is ready for serious diplomacy in Qatar-mediated talks and hopes for "rationality" from the US, while saying armed forces are stronger than before. Why it matters: Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei put the military on heightened alert, ordering an immediate, geographically unrestricted response to any threat, amid reports the White House could order a new bombing campaign after Tuesday's midterm elections.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Tehran is ready for serious diplomacy in Qatar-mediated talks and hopes for "rationality" from the US, while saying armed forces are stronger than before.

Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei put the military on heightened alert, ordering an immediate, geographically unrestricted response to any threat, amid reports the White House could order a new bombing campaign after Tuesday's midterm elections.