​MotoGP riders reportedly want written safety guarantees before travelling to Qatar next week. As the riders negotiate with the organisers over matters including evacuation plans and insurance, the United States is threatening new military strikes on Iran. The Qatar Grand Prix is scheduled for 8 November, just five days after the US midterm elections.The Qatar GP was originally due to take place in April, but was postponed until 8 November because of the war in the Middle East. The security situation in the region remains uncertain, and the latest developments in the United States have heightened concerns within the MotoGP paddock.According to The Wall Street Journal , Washington has warned several Gulf states to prepare for a possible short, intensive military operation against Iran after the US elections on 3 November. President Donald Trump has not yet made a final decision, but the US military is reportedly preparing for possible new strikes, the newspaper writes.Iran has previously threatened to launch further retaliatory strikes on key facilities in Gulf states if the United States attacks again. The MotoGP riders are concerned not only about their safety during the race itself, but also about whether they could leave Qatar safely in the event of a sudden escalation.According to Motorsport.com, a significant number of riders initially voiced opposition to taking part in the Grand Prix. During the race weekend at Phillip Island, the riders therefore reportedly decided collectively to demand written guarantees from MotoGP Sports Entertainment Group (MGPSEG), the championship’s commercial rights holder.’MotoGP riders want clarity on evacuation and insurance’The document currently under negotiation sets out several conditions. The riders want a concrete evacuation plan, insurance covering costs if Qatari airspace is closed, and guarantees that they can leave the country in the event of an emergency.The riders met again at the Sepang circuit on Wednesday, this time in the presence of a significant number of team managers. According to Motorsport.com, the talks were constructive, but no final agreement has been reached.The parties involved are waiting for Carlos Ezpeleta, deputy director of MotoGP Group, to return. He was in Doha on Wednesday for a conference and was also able to assess the current situation in Qatar firsthand during his visit. He is expected to return on Thursday, after which an agreement could potentially be reached.The main sticking point is reportedly who will be responsible for providing the requested guarantees. The riders want MotoGP to take responsibility, but the promoter says this is not feasible.This has left the negotiations in a difficult position. Qatar insists that the Grand Prix can be held safely, while the governments of many countries represented in the MotoGP paddock advise against travelling to Qatar unless it is strictly necessary.However, a negative travel advisory does not mean that travel is prohibited.