Qatari mediators held talks in Tehran for more than 12 hours on Friday in an effort to restart direct negotiations between the United States and Iran, according to an Axios report that cited diplomatic sources. The report said the effort aims to reach a deal that would help avoid an outbreak of war after the midterm elections.

Axios reported that the discussions will continue in Doha, Qatar, on Saturday. The portion of the report available for this story did not say which officials took part in the Tehran talks or whether they produced an agreement or agreed terms.

Axios also reported that the United States is "just days away from a possible military operation." The available text ends before describing what that operation would involve. The summary does not give a date for any such operation and describes it only as possible.

Axios framed the mediation around the midterm elections, and the report's headline describes a bid for a deal before the midterms. The summary does not explain the background of the Qatari mediators or how they were chosen for the role.

The report cites unnamed diplomatic sources, and the material reviewed here does not identify them or the governments they represent. The report was written by Barak Ravid of Axios.

The American Centinel has not independently verified the details in this story, which rely on the Axios report and the diplomatic sources it cites. Readers seeking further detail should consult the original report, which Axios published under the byline of Barak Ravid.

Sources: Axios: Qataris hold marathon talks in Tehran in bid for U.S.-Iran deal before midterms.