A war involving Iran has gone on for about eight months. On Tuesday 3 November, hopes of peace talks pushed the price of oil down for a second day.
The talks are not simple. Qatar is acting as a go-between, which is called a mediator. It said its team held talks in Tehran, Iran’s capital, to stop things getting worse. President Trump said Iran wants “to make a deal and that could happen.”
Iran’s answer was more careful. Its foreign ministry spokesman, Esmaeil Baqaei, said Iran will reject diplomacy based on pressure and threats. Vice President Vance still said he feels good about a possible settlement.
Ships sail through the Strait of Hormuz, a sea passage near Iran. A shipping group reported at least 4 attacks on ships in November, in the Persian Gulf, the Strait of Hormuz and the Gulf of Oman.