Qatari PM holds Tehran talks

Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani embarked on a visit to Tehran on Thursday, aiming to rekindle diplomatic ties between the two nations after a period of heightened tension. The visit comes amid a series of escalating sanctions imposed by the United States against Iran, which have been branded as an "all-out economic war" by an Iranian official.

The talks were held at a time when the White House claimed that no negotiations were taking place between the US and Iran, dismissing Tehran's insistence that it had never abandoned the negotiating table.

During his visit, Al Thani engaged in discussions with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, focusing on a proposed phased framework that could potentially include the establishment of a temporary joint Iranian-Omani shipping corridor through the Strait of Hormuz. The talks also covered the latest regional developments and efforts to de-escalate tensions, with the aim of creating conditions for dialogue.

The visit underscores Qatar's historical role as a key back-channel negotiator for the warring parties, having played a direct role in securing a ceasefire in June that temporarily halted hostilities. Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Ghalibaf called for national unity in response to what he described as the "all-out economic war" launched by the US. While Iran has endured various forms of sanctions since the Islamic revolution in 1979, the effectiveness of these sanctions has reportedly diminished over time.