Qatar says US, Iran still in talks to end war

Doha, Qatar - Qatar's foreign minister announced on Tuesday that the United States and Iran are still in indirect negotiations aimed at ending the ongoing Middle East conflict, despite the ongoing hostilities. The discussions, facilitated by Qatar and its regional partners, are aimed at addressing the concerns of all parties involved, according to Ibrahim Al-Hashmi, a foreign ministry official.

The foreign ministry official emphasized the gravity of the situation, stating that the scale of the conflict and its global impact necessitate immediate efforts to find a negotiable solution. Qatar's Emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, met with Iran's interior minister, Eskandar Momeni, in Doha on Tuesday, as reported by the royal palace.

Despite several attempts at diplomatic resolution, including a ceasefire in April, a memorandum of understanding in June, and talks at the UN General Assembly last month, tensions persist between Washington and Tehran. The Strait of Hormuz continues to be a contentious issue, with neither side willing to compromise. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian recently dismissed the US-Iran talks as "meaningless," stating that they only led to further aggression, according to state media.