Summary
- The United States is relying on economic pressure and a naval blockade rather than launching another major military campaign against Iran, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said as diplomatic efforts to end the conflict showed signs of movement through Qatar.
- Qatar reports positive responses from both sides Qatar’s Foreign Ministry said Washington and Tehran had responded positively to its mediation initiatives although negotiations remained ongoing.
- Tehran maintains its seven-point position Iran has set out seven conditions for ending the conflict, including lifting the US naval blockade and unilateral sanctions, releasing frozen Iranian assets, ensuring safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz and stopping military operations.
Speaking in Paris after meetings with G7 counterparts, Rubio argued that sanctions and restrictions on Iran’s ability to sell energy were inflicting growing economic damage. He said President Donald Trump had no immediate need to order large-scale military operations if Washington could achieve its objectives through economic measures.
Rubio rejected suggestions that the absence of fresh attacks represented a stalemate saying the pressure on Tehran was intensifying. His remarks followed Trump’s decision to postpone further strikes after appeals from regional governments including Qatar.
Trump has maintained that preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons remains a non-negotiable US objective. He also claimed that Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Kuwait supported maintaining the American naval blockade.
Qatar reports positive responses from both sides
Qatar’s Foreign Ministry said Washington and Tehran had responded positively to its mediation initiatives although negotiations remained ongoing.
Ibrahim Al-Hashimi the ministry’s director of media and communications, told reporters in Doha that mediators were trying to end the prolonged uncertainty between the two countries and move the region away from its current situation of neither war nor peace.
The statement followed meetings between Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, Trump and Vice President JD Vance in Washington. The Qatari leader described the discussions as constructive and said they focused on possible progress towards an agreement.
However, Iran has rejected reports of an imminent meeting between its senior security officials and Vance. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said claims about such negotiations were unfounded and insisted that the conflict could only be resolved through diplomacy, mutual respect and acceptance of Tehran’s demands.
Tehran maintains its seven-point position
Iran has set out seven conditions for ending the conflict, including lifting the US naval blockade and unilateral sanctions, releasing frozen Iranian assets, ensuring safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz and stopping military operations.
Supreme National Security Council Secretary Mohsen Rezaei urged Washington to accept Tehran’s demands accusing the United States of spreading misleading reports about negotiations.
An Iranian official also rejected claims that Tehran was prepared to reopen the Strait of Hormuz in exchange for the release of $8 billion in frozen assets.
Gulf security concerns deepen
Meanwhile, Gulf Cooperation Council members have approved plans for an advanced headquarters of their unified military command in Kuwait, alongside the deployment of forces. The announcement followed a meeting of the bloc’s Joint Defence Council in Bahrain.
The move comes amid continuing regional security concerns following missile and drone attacks, disruption to shipping and threats to vital energy routes.
The conflict has also continued despite diplomatic contacts. Iranian state media reported fresh US strikes on Qeshm island while the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said two oil tankers had caught fire after allegedly violating navigation regulations in the Strait of Hormuz. These claims have not been independently verified.
Iranian military officials have meanwhile rejected suggestions that the country’s missile reserves have been exhausted, insisting that domestic production capabilities remain intact.
With Washington favouring economic pressure and Tehran refusing to abandon its conditions, the prospect of a comprehensive settlement remains uncertain despite Qatar’s reported progress in mediation.
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