Iran's Khamenei gives government powers to hold talks on war

Arsalan Shahla and Eltaf Najafizada, Bloomberg News on Nov 2, 2026

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Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei has given the government the go-ahead to hold peace talks, signaling a potential diplomatic opening as fears of a renewed conflict with the U.S. and Israel grow.

“We are striving to resolve the issue through dialogue and, in this regard, the Supreme Leader has also granted certain powers to the government,” Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said Monday, cited by the state-run Islamic Republic News Agency.

Brent crude futures slumped about 6% to trade near $106 a barrel in London following the report. The international benchmark rallied beyond $110 a barrel in October due to concerns over a rekindling of the war, with U.S. President Donald Trump threatening to resume strikes after the midterm elections.

Pezeshkian did not clarify what specific powers were granted by Iran’s hardline supreme leader or whether a broader change in Tehran’s negotiating stance can be expected.

The remarks came after Axios reported that Trump told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in a phone call, that he remains open to allowing more time for a diplomatic solution to the conflict with Iran. At the same time, an Iranian delegation visited Doha — a key mediator in talks between Tehran and Washington —to pursue a last-minute breakthrough.

Iranian officials have reiterated that the country will ease energy transport through the Strait of Hormuz and return to formal negotiations only after the U.S. lifts its economic blockade.