Qatar Claims Progress in U.S.-Iran Talks
PHOTO CAPTION: People walk past an anti-U.S. billboard on a street in Tehran, Iran, August 3, 2026. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency) via REUTERS
DUBAI/WASHINGTON, Aug. 4 — Qatar said Tuesday that mediators were making progress toward negotiations aimed at ending the U.S.-Iran war, although Tehran denied President Donald Trump’s claim that talks were already underway.
Oil prices fell sharply after Qatar’s comments, with Brent crude dropping more than 2% and extending Monday’s steep losses.
Markets were responding to hopes that an agreement could soon reopen the Strait of Hormuz, which remained largely closed to shipping.
Another vessel was reportedly attacked while attempting to cross the waterway.
Trump said Monday that talks with Tehran had begun and described the situation as Iran’s “last chance” to reach an agreement.
Iranian officials denied that negotiations with the United States were taking place.
Tehran said its only discussions were with Oman about the Strait of Hormuz and that no major meetings were planned this week.
“They are going on right now,” Trump told reporters Monday when asked about negotiations.
He said the discussions were taking place at the request of Iran, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar.
“This is a last chance for them to sign a good document,” Trump said of Iran.
Mediators exchange draft proposals
Qatar Foreign Ministry spokesperson Majed al-Ansari said diplomatic contacts had reached “very progressive stages.”
He said Qatar, Pakistan and Oman were coordinating closely to help facilitate negotiations and exchange draft proposals between Washington and Tehran.
A senior Pakistani security official said extensive diplomatic activity was taking place behind the scenes.
“We are talking to both sides,” the official said. “Our sole goal at this moment is to make both parties at least agree to start talking.”
Trump’s claims followed his weekend decision to cancel what he described as “massive attacks” on Iran.
Shipping risks continue in Hormuz
Iran has stopped most traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, while Washington maintains a blockade of Iran-linked shipping and ports.
The disruption affects a corridor that normally carries about one-fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas shipments.
A cargo vessel reported being struck by an unidentified projectile near the strait off Oman’s coast, according to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations agency.
Maritime sources told Reuters that the vessel was a dry-bulk ship.
The crew abandoned the vessel, and one seafarer was missing.
Iran has long argued that it should share control of the strait with Oman, which controls the opposite shore.
Tehran rejected an Omani proposal last week that would have established shared oversight and allowed voluntary fees to be collected from passing ships.
A senior Iranian source said Iran was seeking full control of inbound shipping and visibility over outbound traffic, including the ability to intervene when it deemed necessary.
Granting Iran that authority would significantly shift the regional balance of power in Tehran’s favor.
It could also complicate the Trump administration’s argument that “Operation Epic Fury,” launched alongside Israel in February, had weakened Iran.
U.S. officials suggest a deal could come soon
Questions have also increased about how long the U.S. military campaign can be sustained.
The U.S. Army has used much of its stockpile of highly accurate long-range missiles during the war, according to three people familiar with the data, raising concerns about readiness for other potential conflicts.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said an agreement to reopen Hormuz could be reached Tuesday or Wednesday.
“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 normalised position in this conflict,” Bessent told CNBC.
Iran-aligned Houthi forces in Yemen have also imposed a naval blockade on Saudi Arabia in the Red Sea, further limiting oil-export routes.
Iran seeks to increase economic pressure
Gulf officials and analysts said Iran appeared to be betting that it could outlast Washington by turning regional trade routes, shipping lanes and energy infrastructure into pressure points.
“Their big advantage is that they can hurt the regional states and the global economy,” said Michael Knights of the Washington Institute.
Iran has publicly rejected negotiations with Washington since a memorandum of understanding signed by the two sides in June collapsed in early July.
Trump has not yet achieved the goals he set at the beginning of the war: dismantling Iran’s nuclear program, reducing its ability to attack regional rivals and creating conditions for Iranians to overthrow the country’s clerical leadership.
(Source: Reuters)
