Qatar Says US-Iran Talks Continue as Tehran Vows to Keep Hormuz Closed

The two positions frame where the mediation stands more than eight months into the war, which began when the United States and Israel attacked Iran in late February. The waterway normally carries about one-fifth of global oil consumption, and Tehran has sought to limit traffic through it, so the fate of the Qatari-led talks bears directly on Gulf exporters, shipping lines and energy markets.

In a statement, Qatar's International Media Office said remarks attributed to its officials had been deliberately distorted and that both sides were continuing to work towards a deal. It called the claims "false and misleading" and their spread "deeply irresponsible", saying they were being pushed by fake social media accounts trying to undermine diplomacy and drive the region towards further escalation. The office said those circulating them stood to benefit from continued war and instability, and that Qatari mediators remain in close coordination with both Washington and Tehran.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani, who serves as both prime minister and foreign minister, said mediation was continuing in order to stop regional tensions from escalating further, according to Al Jazeera. He said significant progress had been made and that he was confident a settlement could be reached. According to Reuters, he also said the US administration remained open to a solution after the midterm elections, suggesting Washington's interest in a deal had not changed. "We cannot wait to reach a perfect agreement; we hope to reach a good agreement," he said.

Tehran struck a harder tone. Iranian army spokesman Mohammad Akraminia said Iran retained control over the strait and would keep it closed until the United States met its demands, the state news agency IRNA reported. He said the armed forces, having gained experience from direct confrontation with the United States and Israel, "are on higher alert and are stronger than they were at the beginning of the war", and that their response under the Supreme Leader's orders would be "immediate, effective, and without geographical limitations".

Washington, meanwhile, added a new form of pressure. US Central Command said on X on Friday that the State Department's Rewards for Justice programme was offering a $20 million reward "and possible relocation" for information on Iran's nuclear programme, including facilities, equipment and associated personnel such as scientists. It did not say what kind of information would qualify.

President Donald Trump, who has repeatedly said US forces effectively destroyed Iran's nuclear programme, said on Friday night in West Palm Beach, Florida, that Iran was eager to end the conflict. "We're dealing with them now. They want to make a deal very badly," he said. Trump spoke by phone with Qatar's Emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, on Friday about efforts to end the war, and Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian said this week his government was still seeking to resolve the crisis through dialogue.

Iranian media reported further activity around Qeshm Island in the strait early on Saturday. The Tasnim news agency said two missiles had struck the island, with no official information on damage, and state television reported two explosions. The Iranian army said its air defences had destroyed a US drone flying over the island, without saying whether the island had been attacked.

The gap between the two sides remains wide on paper. Since September, Iran has been pressing a seven-day proposal that Trump has so far rejected. It would require Washington to lift its blockade of Iranian ports, unfreeze Iranian assets and approve an Iranian-backed route through the Strait of Hormuz, in exchange for Iran reopening the waterway.