Qatar says US-Iran Hormuz mediation continues, but no direct talks planned
The Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway through which about a fifth of global oil and gas shipments normally pass, has remained effectively closed since late February amid the ongoing conflict between the United States and Israel on one side and Iran on the other. Iranian attacks on vessels and a US blockade of Iranian ports have halted shipping through the strait.
In mid-June, the US and Iran signed a preliminary agreement aimed at ending the conflict and reopening the strait. However, the deal collapsed within weeks after a dispute over control of the waterway and fresh Iranian attacks triggered an escalating exchange of strikes.
On Saturday, US President Donald Trump said he had called off what he described as a "massive attack" by US and Israeli forces on Iran, after Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar urged restraint. The three Gulf states asked for time to allow mediators to broker a new agreement on the Strait of Hormuz and the denuclearisation of Iran. Trump said talks with Iran were due to begin on Monday afternoon.
However, Iran's foreign ministry spokesman, Esmail Baqai, dismissed the idea that Iran was talking directly to the US. Baqai said there was no plan to receive or send a delegation. Instead, he said Iran was holding "constructive" negotiations with Oman over "a path to ensure the security of shipping passage through the Strait of Hormuz".
Baqai also said that any new arrangement would be "necessary but not sufficient" to reopen the strait, suggesting that Iran would continue to stop ships as long as the US blockade of Iranian ports remained in place.
Hours later, Trump responded on Truth Social, calling Iran's leadership "unbelievably duplicitous". He claimed that Iranian leaders had asked for a meeting and that more talks were scheduled in the "immediate future".
At a news conference in Doha on Tuesday, Qatar's foreign ministry spokesman, Ansari, said efforts by Qatar, Pakistan and Oman were "still ongoing with all the parties" and were at "very progressive stages". He said they were co-ordinating closely with the Omani side to facilitate talks between the two sides, exchanging ideas and drafts. "Our focus right now is on avoiding escalation, reopening the strait and reopening the door for diplomacy between the parties," he added. However, he acknowledged that there was not "anything on the books as far as direct talks".
A senior Pakistani security official, speaking to Reuters, confirmed that "a lot is happening in the background" and that they were "talking to both sides".
The potential agreement between Iran and Oman over the Strait of Hormuz has not been officially disclosed. However, Iranian officials told The New York Times that shipping entering the Gulf would use a route controlled by Iran, close to its coast, while outbound shipping would use a route close to Oman's coast. The officials also reportedly said the agreement included a "service fee" to cover environmental impact, security and staffing.
A US official told the same newspaper that the Iranian account was not accurate and that any "temporary" routes would not involve Iranian approval or tolls.
The situation remains fluid, with no clear timeline for reopening the strait. Diplomatic efforts led by Qatar, Oman and Pakistan continue, but the gap between the two sides appears wide. Indirect negotiations and shuttle diplomacy are underway, but a return to direct talks has not been confirmed by either side.
