The Iran-US war has entered its seventh month, with diplomacy and escalation threats running in parallel. Here is what we know.

How did the latest diplomacy play out? On September 25, Iran’s foreign minister Abbas Araghchi floated a seven-day plan through Qatar: Iran would reopen the Strait of Hormuz within a week if the US lifted its port blockade, released about $12 billion in frozen Iranian assets and waived oil sanctions. Trump rejected the offer on September 26, saying Iran was “losing so badly.” Iran said it received an official US response on September 30, which Araghchi presented to the cabinet.

What is the military picture? Trump said in a Time interview he would consider resuming bombing Iran after the November 3 midterms. Three US aircraft carriers could be deployed to the Middle East. The US Treasury has imposed fresh sanctions under “Operation Economic Outcast.”

What does Iran say? Tehran claims Trump’s war has failed and says it is pursuing a “win-win” strategy. Iran insists it will not abandon its nuclear programme.

What next? Both sides are talking and threatening at once. Key dates are the November 3 US midterms and any follow-up to the September exchanges.