The Breakfast Table

Iran’s foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, said on Sunday that the go-betweens trying to end the war between Iran and the United States have not travelled since America’s midterm elections. These go-betweens are called mediators. He said it is “time for the White House to make its own” choice.

President Trump gave a softer message. He told CNN that restarting attacks on Iran is “highly unlikely” if talks make progress. The talks are stuck on reopening the Strait of Hormuz and on Iran’s nuclear technology.

The Strait of Hormuz is a narrow sea passage that oil tankers use. The UK Maritime Trade Operations centre said at least 11 ships were attacked in and around it in the week ending November 6. Three sank.

The average price of gasoline in the US was $4.06 a gallon on November 5 and 6.

Diwali, the festival of lights, was on Sunday. In Delhi the air was very poor. The Air Quality Index, a number that tells how dirty the air is, averaged 376. It was 369 on Saturday. On the official scale, 301 to 400 is “very poor” and 401 to 500 is “severe”.

At 7 pm, 19 of 59 monitoring stations showed “severe” air, and 33 showed “very poor”. Jahangirpuri was worst at 460. The main pollutant was PM2.5, tiny particles in smoke, and firecrackers added to it. Light winds trapped the dirty air. A warning system expects “severe” air from Monday for several days.

Rules are already in force. On Friday an air-quality commission started Stage III of its plan across Delhi and nearby districts. Some older cars may not drive, dusty building work stops, and schools up to Class 5 go to hybrid mode.

The Supreme Court also acted. Chief Justice Surya Kant said the AQI was close to 400 and that vehicle fumes were a big cause. He called for a “people’s movement”. The court wants short, medium and long plans, and the next hearing is on November 16.