Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool

US President Donald Trump has signalled progress in talks with Iran aimed at avoiding a return to war, and US Vice President JD Vance says both he and Trump are optimistic about reaching an agreement. Indirect talks are taking place through mediators, with Qatar and Pakistan playing an active role. Oil prices fell by more than 7 per cent on Monday, 2 Nov, on hopes of an end to the eight-month-old conflict. Iranian state media reported five explosions on Qeshm Island, and Vance described US strikes on Iranian targets in the Strait of Hormuz as limited. The conflict began on 28 Feb with US and Israeli attacks on Iran.

The United States conducted air strikes on Iran's Qeshm Island on Monday. Vice President JD Vance said he and President Donald Trump feel optimistic about reaching a negotiated settlement with Iran, though no deadline has been set. Trump has previously argued that war may be necessary to prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon, while Secretary of State Marco Rubio indicated on Nov 1 that the administration prefers a diplomatic resolution and wants to avoid further military action.

Americans vote on Tuesday, 3 Nov, in midterm elections that will decide control of both chambers of Congress and 36 governorships. More than 57 million people had already cast ballots by Monday, according to the University of Florida Election Lab, figures sources describe as a record for a non-presidential year. Polls and Republican analysts expect Democrats to take the House and the Senate, while Republicans currently hold 218-214 in the House and 53-47 in the Senate. Polling stations close at different times, so results will arrive gradually overnight. President Donald Trump is not on the ballot and will remain in office regardless of the outcome.