DOHA — Diplomatic efforts are underway to end the war between the United States and Iran, Qatar's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Majed al-Ansari said at a press conference in Doha on Tuesday. No agreement is currently in place, but developments could change in the coming hours or days, he said.
Al-Ansari said the efforts are in "very progressive stages," with Qatar working with all parties involved. The focus remains on halting escalation and reopening diplomacy in the region.
The immediate objectives include securing a return to a ceasefire and ensuring the safety of shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. Qatar, Pakistan and Oman are collaborating on those goals, al-Ansari said.
Despite the ongoing mediation, al-Ansari confirmed there are no direct talks between the United States and Iran scheduled at this time.
President Donald Trump announced major combat operations against Iran on Feb. 28, involving large-scale joint U.S.-Israeli strikes on military, government and infrastructure sites inside Iran.
Delegations from both countries entered negotiations in June, seeking a war-ending deal based on a memorandum of understanding previously signed by both sides.
The two countries have continued to exchange strikes since then, with the Strait of Hormuz remaining a primary flashpoint.
Trump recently called the current diplomatic opening Iran's "last chance" to make a deal, making the remarks during an Oval Office signing event. When asked about previous instances of calling off strikes, Trump said, "I don't know. I think we're going to maybe get something, but I want to give every last chance before decapitation."
Trump outlined a two-phase deal: the first phase would immediately reopen the Strait of Hormuz; the second would involve Iran's denuclearization and would "take a little while" to achieve.
Separately, Yahya Saree, the official spokesperson for the Houthi rebels in Yemen, said Tuesday that Houthi forces launched a drone strike on Najran Airport in southwestern Saudi Arabia. The Saudi Defense Ministry had not commented on the claim.
The U.K. Maritime Trade Operations Centre reported that a cargo ship was hit by an unknown projectile off the coast of Oman on Monday, adding to the risks facing maritime traffic in the region.
Al-Ansari said he hoped a resumption of talks in the near term would advance a broader deal to establish peace in the region.
