Josh Boak

Strikes between the United States and Iran paused after days of escalation in the Strait of Hormuz, though both countries offered conflicting accounts on whether negotiations would resume in Qatar. Washington claimed Iran requested a meeting, while Tehran denied any such plans and said its delegation would discuss elements of an interim agreement only with mediators. The interim deal requires Iran to dilute enriched uranium, eases sanctions and aims to reopen the strait. Attacks on vessels and retaliatory US strikes heightened tensions, while Qatar prepared to release six billion dollars in frozen Iranian assets for humanitarian purchases. Regional governments, including Oman and France, weighed in on navigation security as diplomatic efforts continued.