Russia was linked to influence campaigns targeting Democrats that gained little traction, but the Kremlin may be more focused on France’s elections in the spring.
Red Square in Moscow in September. Current and former U.S. officials said they were unsure why Russia and Iran both appeared to engage in less meddling than in years past, including the 2024 election.
Iran’s willingness to re-engage on the issue suggests that Qatar-led diplomatic efforts to avert full-blown war between the U.S. and Iran have had some success.
Gen. Mohsen Rezaei, the head of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, said this week that Iran would not hold talks on its nuclear program until the U.S. accepts the country’s demands. Privately, however, he has shown more openness to discussing the issue, officials say.
Iranian officials spoke of some progress in negotiating to reopen the strait even as they prepared for all-out war. A Qatari delegation arrived in Tehran on Monday to meet with the foreign minister to continue talks.
With Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu fighting to stay in power and President Trump facing a tough midterm, Iran’s leaders expect no major shift in policy.
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