Mediators intensify efforts to revive US-Iran talks, end clashes
Qatar, Pakistan and other countries seek to preserve fragile ceasefire as renewed military exchanges raise fears of wider regional conflict
TEHRAN, Iran (MNTV) — Regional mediators, including Qatar and Pakistan, have stepped up diplomatic efforts to prevent a renewed war between the United States and Iran, as both sides remain locked in a fragile standoff following days of military exchanges.
According to officials familiar with the discussions, Qatari diplomats traveled to Iran for talks aimed at reducing tensions and creating conditions for Washington and Tehran to resume negotiations. The visit was reportedly coordinated with the United States as part of broader regional mediation efforts.
Qatar, which played a central role in brokering last month’s ceasefire between the two countries, has continued engaging both governments alongside other regional partners in an attempt to keep the truce from collapsing.
The latest diplomatic push follows a series of attacks and counterattacks that have threatened to unravel the ceasefire. In recent days, Bahrain, Kuwait and Jordan—all of which host US military facilities—reported Iranian strikes on their territory, while Washington carried out retaliatory attacks against Iranian military targets.
A US official said American forces have deliberately alternated military operations with pauses to avoid further escalation while allowing space for diplomacy.
Despite a relative lull in fighting on Friday, officials warned that the situation remains highly volatile. Iran has threatened to broaden attacks against US military installations across the region if American strikes continue, while senior Iranian security officials have warned that attacks on the country’s infrastructure would trigger reciprocal responses.
US President Donald Trump said Thursday he believes the ceasefire is effectively over, although he expressed hope that negotiations toward a longer-term settlement could still continue.
Iranian media reported several explosions overnight in southern parts of the country, though the reports were inconsistent and later contradicted by local officials. The US Central Command did not announce any new military operations during the same period.
The Strait of Hormuz remains at the center of the dispute. The United States has accused Iran of threatening commercial shipping through the strategic waterway, while Tehran insists vessels must follow routes designated within its territorial waters.
The differing interpretations have complicated implementation of the ceasefire, which called for safe passage of commercial vessels without clearly defining enforcement mechanisms.
The US military said it struck more than 170 military targets across Iran during the previous 48 hours, describing the operations as an effort to reduce Iran’s ability to threaten maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran’s Health Ministry said the latest US strikes killed 14 people and injured 78 others, although it did not specify whether the casualties were military personnel or civilians.
Meanwhile, Israeli officials indicated that Washington has discouraged Israel from joining the latest military campaign against Iran, reflecting US concerns that broader Israeli involvement could further escalate the conflict.
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz nevertheless said the Israeli military remains prepared to launch independent operations against Iran if necessary, while Israeli officials believe the Trump administration continues to favor preventing a return to full-scale regional war.
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