India, Oct. 31 -- Qatari mediators held more than 12 hours of talks in Tehran on Friday to restart direct negotiations between the United States and Iran. The effort is to prevent a possible military conflict after the US midterm elections, Axios reported. The negotiations are to continue in Doha, Qatar, on Sunday as regional powers seek a diplomatic breakthrough.

Washington is said to be only days away from deciding whether to launch military action against Iran according to Iran. Such an operation could trigger retaliation against Israel and several Gulf nations, raising fears of a bigger conflict.

A diplomatic source told Axios that Qatari mediators remained in regular contact with the White House during Friday's marathon discussions...