US and Iran Hold Doha Talks Amid Military Pressure

Iranian officials held talks in Doha, Qatar, on a possible deal with the United States that could end the three-month conflict in the Middle East and lead to the reopening of the strategic Strait of Hormuz.

Sources said the talks were attended by Iran’s chief negotiator, the foreign minister and the governor of the central bank.

US military operations in southern Iran continued during the negotiations. US Central Command said it had struck targets linked to mine-laying and missile systems. Iran later claimed to have shot down an “enemy” stealth drone over the Persian Gulf.

The situation in Lebanon has further complicated the talks. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced an intensification of attacks against Hezbollah, raising concerns that the escalation could jeopardize wider negotiations on regional stability. Shortly afterwards, Israel launched new air strikes in the Bekaa Valley.

US President Donald Trump earlier said negotiations with Iran were going “well”, but warned that Washington could carry out further attacks if they failed. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the US would give diplomacy a chance, but that “alternatives” remained on the table.

Part of Trump’s strategy is to expand the Abraham Accords, brokered during his first term to normalize relations between Arab and Muslim states and Israel. Analysts warn, however, that linking a possible Iran deal to wider regional normalization could complicate the negotiations.

(reuters, max)