DOHA/WASHINGTON – Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani on Tuesday held a phone call with US President Donald Trump to discuss the latest developments in US-Iran negotiations, according to a statement by the Amiri Diwan, the administrative office of Qatari Emir.
The emir stressed the need to adopt diplomatic means to address contentious issues and implement the terms reached under the US-Iran peace memorandum of understanding, according to the statement.
ALSO READ: Trump confirms resumption of talks with Iran, Hormuz deal nears
He also reaffirmed Qatar's support for international initiatives aimed at containing tensions and consolidating regional peace and security, it added.
Earlier in the day, Majed Al Ansari, adviser to Qatar's prime minister and spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said during a weekly press briefing that mediation efforts between the United States and Iran remain underway, saying draft proposals for a possible agreement continue to be exchanged between the two sides.
Al Ansari said there were no direct talks scheduled between the United States and Iran but expressed hope that mediation efforts would soon lead to the resumption of negotiations.
On the possibility of reaching an agreement, Al Ansari said no timeline could be set.
'Deal may be reached by Wednesday'
Meanwhile, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Tuesday that a deal with Iran could be reached on Tuesday or Wednesday to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
"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.
When asked whether Iran would be allowed to charge a toll on ships that pass through the Strait of Hormuz, the US treasury secretary said, "It would be freedom of movement."
He added that prices should fall further when hundreds of ships stuck in the Gulf are able to exit, noting that the impact extends beyond energy to include fertilizers, refined petroleum products, and industrial gases.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said while the United States sees the denuclearization of Iran as its "ultimate deal", reopening of the Strait of Hormuz is the "immediate" one.
"So the denuclearization of Iran is the ultimate deal. I think the immediate deal, the one that you see a lot of focus on, is the strait," Rubio told reporters.
There is no final agreement yet on the Strait of Hormuz, but "we're hoping that will happen very shortly," he added.
READ MORE: Trump says US to hold off attack on Iran
Iranian officials so far have made no response to the remarks.
