Qatar Says Efforts To Reach U.S.-Iran Deal Are ‘Ongoing.’ But There Are No Direct Talks On The Horizon

Qatar spokesperson Majed Al-Ansari said efforts to reach a deal between the U.S. and Iran are ongoing but there are no direct talks in the plans.

"We can confirm that efforts are ongoing with all parties, we are looking into a diplomatic solution," Ansari said.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent expressed optimism about the possibility of reaching a deal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz in the next hours.

"We are in talks with the Iranians, and I think there is a chance we may have a deal today or tomorrow to open the strait and move towards a more normalized position in this conflict," Bessent said in an interview with CNBC.

Iran, however, has constantly rejected talks with the U.S. are taking place. Iranian foreign ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei on Monday said the country had only discussed navigation through the Strait of Hormuz with Oman.

Baghaei claimed that the countries are engaging in an effort to "determine, at the earliest opportunity and in consultation with Oman, a route that is naturally temporary and based on which the safety of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz can be ensured."

Reuters detailed on Tuesday that Tehran is seeking to control inbound shipping through the Hormuz Strait and have oversight over outbound traffic.

President Donald Trump, on his end, said on Monday that talks are indeed happening and they are the last chance for the country's leadership to reach an agreement before "decapitation."

"I think maybe we're going to get something. But i want to give them one last chance before decapitation," Trump said while speaking to press at the Oval Office. "Hopefully they'll come to their senses," he added.

Trump had already criticized Tehran's leadership, accusing them of of being "unbelievably duplicitous" after a top official denied the country had requested talks with the U.S.

In a social media post, Trump claimed that officials are seeking meetings with the country, and there are even "more scheduled in the immediate future," but then "they say, openly and proudly, that they're not having any discussions, that nothing is being talked about, and they're only dealing with 'Oman.'"