Qatar said Tuesday that mediators are making progress in efforts to end the war between the United States and Iran, even though Tehran continues to deny that talks are taking place, contradicting repeated claims by U.S. President Donald Trump.
Brent crude oil prices dropped 4% following the announcement, as hopes rose that shipping through the Strait of Hormuz could soon resume. The strait remains closed for now, and another vessel came under attack while attempting to pass through it.
Qatar's Emir Speaks With Trump
Qatar's Emir, Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, spoke by phone with Trump on Tuesday about efforts to de-escalate the situation and narrow the gap between U.S. and Iranian positions, according to the emir's office.
On Monday, Trump said talks with Tehran had begun and that Iran had a last chance to reach a deal. Iranian officials insist no negotiations with Washington are underway. Foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said only that talks with Oman over Hormuz were positive and ongoing, focused on defining safe entry and exit zones from the strait, according to Iranian state media. Baghaei said the route under negotiation aims to protect the sovereign rights and national security of both Iran and Oman.
U.S. and Qatari Officials Optimistic
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Secretary of State Marco Rubio both described progress in talks to reopen the strait. Rubio told reporters at the State Department that he hoped it would happen very soon, while Bessent said a deal could be reached as early as Tuesday or Wednesday.
Qatari foreign ministry spokesman Majed al-Ansari said diplomatic contacts had reached very advanced stages, with Qatar, Pakistan and Oman coordinating closely to facilitate negotiations and the exchange of proposals between Washington and Tehran. A senior Pakistani security official said their only goal right now was to get both sides to agree to at least start talking.
