Qatar’s Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani has visited Tehran in an attempt to revive diplomatic efforts between Iran and the United States as Washington increases economic pressure on the Islamic Republic.
The visit comes nearly six months into the conflict, with major military operations largely paused but no comprehensive peace agreement in sight.
Qatar, a Gulf neighbour of Iran and an ally of the United States, has served as an important channel of communication between Tehran and Washington. Doha also played a direct role in securing the interim ceasefire reached in June.
However, the diplomatic process later stalled amid disagreements over sanctions, Iran’s nuclear programme and control of the Strait of Hormuz.
Qatar Calls for Renewed Dialogue
Al Thani, who also serves as Qatar’s foreign minister, held talks with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in Tehran.
According to Qatar’s foreign ministry, the officials reviewed regional developments and discussed measures to reduce tensions and establish conditions for renewed dialogue.
Their discussions included a proposed phased framework for restoring maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz.
The plan reportedly involves establishing a temporary shipping corridor jointly coordinated by Iran and Oman. It also includes a project to remove mines from the strategic waterway.
Qatar has emphasised the importance of freedom of navigation and safe passage for commercial vessels. Restoring shipping through the Strait could also help ease pressure on international energy markets.
Dispute Over the Strait of Hormuz
The Strait of Hormuz remains one of the most difficult issues in negotiations between Iran and the United States.
Before the conflict began on February 28, approximately one-fifth of global oil supplies passed through the narrow waterway separating Iran and Oman.
Iran has used its influence over the Strait as leverage in negotiations. Tehran maintains that the waterway will not reopen fully unless Washington complies with conditions connected to the June interim ceasefire.
Iran’s demands include lifting economic sanctions, ending the US blockade of Iranian ports and providing compensation for damage caused during the conflict.
Washington opposes Iran’s attempt to impose charges on vessels and insists that the Strait should remain an open international waterway.
Iran and Oman Continue Negotiations
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps announced that Tehran and Muscat had reached understandings concerning the administration of traffic through the Strait and the distribution of potential revenues.
However, a senior Iranian source later clarified that the agreement had not been finalised and that discussions were continuing.
A temporary Iran–Oman corridor could allow limited commercial shipping to resume while negotiations over a permanent arrangement continue.
Significant security risks remain. The International Maritime Organization has recorded 70 incidents in the Strait since February 28, resulting in the deaths of 19 seafarers.
Iran also retains missile and drone capabilities that could threaten neighbouring countries and disrupt commercial shipping despite suffering substantial damage to its conventional military forces.
White House Says No Negotiations Are Underway
The White House has said that the United States is not currently holding negotiations with Iran.
Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said President Donald Trump continues to retain all available options. She maintained that Washington would keep applying pressure until Iran demonstrated a willingness to negotiate meaningfully.
Iran, however, says it has never abandoned diplomacy and accuses the United States of repeatedly undermining negotiations.
The conflicting statements illustrate the deep mistrust preventing both sides from returning to direct talks.
US Shifts Focus to Economic Pressure
Although major American military strikes against Iran have stopped, Washington is intensifying its sanctions campaign.
The United States plans to restrict Iran’s access to international markets and increase pressure on countries and businesses maintaining commercial relations with Tehran.
The White House has described its latest campaign as “Operation Economic Outcast,” following the earlier military campaign known as “Operation Epic Fury.”
Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf characterised the new measures as an “all-out economic war.” He urged national unity and warned that internal divisions would benefit Iran’s opponents.
Ebrahim Azizi, head of the Iranian parliament’s national security committee, condemned the sanctions as hostile and inhumane but claimed that their effectiveness had declined.
Iran has faced different forms of American sanctions since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. The latest measures are expected to increase pressure on its oil exports, financial transactions and international trading relationships.
Mediation Faces Significant Obstacles
Qatar’s diplomatic initiative represents another attempt to prevent renewed fighting and create a path toward a broader settlement.
However, important differences remain over sanctions, compensation, the blockade of Iranian ports and the future of the Strait of Hormuz.
For Qatar, reopening the waterway and restoring communication between Tehran and Washington are essential to protecting regional security and global energy supplies.
Whether its latest mediation effort succeeds will depend on both sides’ willingness to compromise. For now, Washington is concentrating on economic pressure while Tehran continues to demand sanctions relief and guarantees before reopening the Strait.
