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Pakistan and Qatar mediate
Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said Pakistan is the primary mediator between Tehran and Washington, with Qatar providing assistance when needed, adding that “mediators—including Pakistan and Qatar—are active and exchanging messages between the parties.”
“mediators—including Pakistan and Qatar—are active and exchanging messages between the parties”
Baghaei said Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi held three phone calls with Pakistani officials since Saturday, including two calls on Saturday and Sunday (August 1 and 2) with General Asim Munir and a call on Monday (August 3) with Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar.
After Araghchi’s call with Ishaq Dar, Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the Pakistani Foreign Minister invited his Iranian counterpart to visit Islamabad at the earliest opportunity.
WANA also reported that Ayaz Sadiq invited Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf to visit Pakistan this week, and that Araghchi warned during his conversation with Munir against any U.S. adventurism.
Qatar’s Foreign Ministry Spokesman Majed Al-Ansari said, “We confirm that efforts with all parties are ongoing, and we are seeking a diplomatic solution.”
Conflicting claims on talks
Qatar’s Majed Al-Ansari told reporters that Doha’s consultations with both Iran and the U.S. are continuing, while also saying there is no agreement yet and no direct negotiations are scheduled, framing the effort as focused on a “short-term solution” to pave the way for resuming dialogue.
TRT World reported that Al-Ansari said Qatar maintains a “clear position,” calling for “a return to the normal situation” in the Strait of Hormuz, and said there is “currently no clear timeline for reaching an agreement.”
Iranian officials, in contrast, maintained that no negotiations with the U.S. are being conducted, asserting that Iran’s current talks are taking place exclusively with Oman and pertain strictly to the Strait of Hormuz.
The BBC said Iran’s foreign ministry spokesman Esmail Baqai dismissed the idea of direct U.S.-Iran talks and said Iran was having “constructive” negotiations with Oman over “a path to ensure the security of shipping passage through the Strait of Hormuz.”
The BBC also reported that U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said there could be “a deal today or tomorrow,” while the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) agency said a cargo vessel was struck by an “unknown projectile.”
Hormuz reopening and risks
Qatar’s mediation push centers on reopening the Strait of Hormuz, with TRT World quoting Al-Ansari saying “a ceasefire and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz must be guaranteed” to resume negotiations.
“a ceasefire and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz must be guaranteed”
The Business Standard said the strait remained virtually shut and reported that another ship was reportedly coming under attack while trying to cross it, as Brent crude fell further after Qatar’s comments.
The Business Standard also cited that a cargo vessel was reported struck by an unidentified projectile near the Strait of Hormuz off Oman's coast, and that the crew had to abandon the vessel with one seafarer missing.
The BBC said the Strait of Hormuz has effectively been closed since the start of the US and Israel’s war with Iran in late February due to Iranian attacks on vessels and a US blockade of Iranian ports, and it noted that the strait had been targeted by a preliminary agreement in mid-June that fell apart within weeks.
In the same BBC account, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said there had been progress in discussions with Oman but that no final agreement had been reached, while Qatar’s spokesman said efforts were “still ongoing with all the parties” and were in “very progressive stages.”
