Qatar says progress made toward US-Iran talks on ending war

Lead

Qatar said on Tuesday that mediators were making progress in efforts to end the US-Iran war, although Tehran denied President Donald Trump’s assertion that talks were already under way. The comments from Qatari Foreign Ministry spokesman Majed al-Ansari helped drive oil prices lower, with benchmark Brent crude falling more than four per cent, as hopes grew that an arrangement could soon be reached to restore traffic through the blockaded Strait of Hormuz.

Coverage Comparison

Reporting on the situation varied across outlets, with some focusing on the ongoing mediation efforts, others on the lack of direct talks, and a few on the specific claims and denials from Washington and Tehran.

Al Jazeera reported that indirect talks were continuing to avoid further regional escalation, and that Qatari Foreign Ministry spokesman Dr. Majed al-Ansari said efforts were ongoing to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and revive diplomacy between the US and Iran.

The BBC noted that Qatar said mediators were continuing their efforts to find a diplomatic resolution, but that no direct talks were planned. The BBC also reported that Iran had denied Trump’s assertion that talks were under way, while US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said there had been progress made in discussions.

Dawn said Qatar stated mediators were making progress in efforts to end the US-Iran war, and that Brent crude fell more than four per cent after the comments. Dawn also reported Trump’s claim that talks with Tehran had started and that Iran faced a “last chance” to reach a deal, alongside Iranian officials’ insistence that no negotiations with the United States were taking place.

The Guardian reported that US and Qatari officials had said progress was being made in restoring a ceasefire in the US-Iran war, but noted that the Strait of Hormuz remained closed to shipping and that a cargo vessel was reportedly struck by an unidentified projectile off Oman’s coast. The Guardian also quoted US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent as saying a deal with Iran on the reopening of Hormuz could be reached by Tuesday or Wednesday.

TASS — English reported that US and Iran were still working towards a deal, with Qatari Foreign Ministry Spokesman Majed bin Mohammed Al-Ansari saying no agreement had been reached yet. TASS also covered Trump’s statement that he had agreed to cancel a planned major strike on Iran, and Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei’s denial of Trump’s claims about direct negotiations.

Key Claims

• Qatari Foreign Ministry spokesman Majed al-Ansari said no agreement has been reached yet and that mediators had set no deadline for concluding a deal. He said steps toward de-escalation were necessary before negotiations could resume, including a return to the ceasefire, guarantees that vessels will not be attacked, and freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.
• US President Donald Trump said he had agreed to cancel a planned major strike on Iran to facilitate a deal with Tehran, claiming that Iran and other Middle Eastern countries had asked Washington to refrain from attacking because the parties had agreed on the outlines of a future accord.
• Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said Trump’s claims about direct negotiations between Tehran and Washington were false, stressing that Iran was negotiating only with Oman on ensuring safe navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.
• US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said there had been progress made in discussions, but no final agreement had been reached, adding, “We’re hoping that will happen very shortly.”
• US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said a deal with Iran on the reopening of Hormuz could be reached by Tuesday or Wednesday.
• The Strait of Hormuz remains closed to shipping, and a cargo vessel was reportedly struck by an unknown projectile in the Gulf waterway. The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) agency reported the strike on Monday night but did not name the vessel. Maritime risk management firm Vanguard reported that the engine room of the Liberia-flagged Minoan Pioneer was hit and one sailor was missing.

Perspectives

Qatar’s mediation role: Qatari Foreign Ministry spokesman Majed al-Ansari said Qatar, Pakistan and Oman were mediating in close coordination, exchanging draft proposals between Washington and Tehran, and that diplomatic contacts had reached “very progressive stages.” He said the focus was on a short-term resolution to reignite talks.

US position: US President Donald Trump said talks with Tehran had started and Iran faced a “last chance” to reach a deal. He also said he had called off what he described as a “massive attack” on Iran. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent both pointed to progress in discussions aimed at reopening the Strait of Hormuz.

Iran’s denial: Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said Trump’s claims about direct negotiations were false, and Iran said its only negotiations were with Oman on an agreement to reopen the Strait of Hormuz to commercial vessels.