Efforts continue to end US-Iran impasse

The conflict between the United States and Iran reached the six-month mark on Friday, with mediators attempting to break a deadlock and bring peace, including reopening the Strait of Hormuz where disruptions had rattled the global economy for months.

A new US sanctions campaign targeting Iran has soured the atmosphere, but there are hopes that diplomacy could get back on track, as Tehran and Washington have both signaled an inclination to solve issues through dialogue and made no fresh threats against each other in recent days. This past week, regional engagement gained momentum, with Qatari, Pakistani and Omani officials visiting Tehran for talks.

The United Nations had earlier expressed concerns about a potential escalation of hostilities. Stephane Dujarric, spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, confirmed that they received a letter sent by Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi urging the international body to condemn the US expanded sanctions against Iran as they went beyond Washington's scope and jurisdiction.

"I think the assessment is that this conflict, even in somewhat of a frozen kinetic phase, continues to do a lot of harm to the region, continues to do a lot of harm to the global economy. The secretary-general is concerned about any new measures, any additional rhetoric that we see that could lead to an escalation," said Dujarric.

"The only way to reach a durable settlement is through dialogue, and the secretary-general is very much appreciative of mediation efforts by Qatar, by Egypt, by Pakistan, of course, and others who are doing their best to try to lead to a political solution, which frankly there's no getting around that to settle a situation," he added.

'Creative discussions'

Among the latest developments, Araghchi said in a post on X on Friday that he had "creative discussions" with visiting Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani.

"Putting diplomacy back on track isn't impossible. It hinges on US understanding of one simple fact: pressure doesn't work. The US should build trust, speak respectfully, acknowledge our rights, and uphold commitments," Araghchi wrote in the post.

In his meeting with Al Thani on Thursday, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said the implementation of the Islamabad memorandum of understanding between Tehran and Washington should resume as before and that outstanding issues should be resolved through dialogue rather than war, Tasnim News Agency reported.

"Iran has not sought war, does not seek war and will not seek war, but it will not bow to bullying either," Pezeshkian was quoted as saying.

Al Thani said in a post on X after the meeting with Pezeshkian that Qatar believes that dialogue and diplomatic solutions remain the optimal path for addressing disputes and overcoming crises.

"My visit to Tehran ... serves as confirmation of our continued efforts to de-escalate tensions, prioritize the shared interests of the region's countries and peoples, and work toward creating conditions that enhance security and stability while opening the door to peaceful solutions — including underscoring the importance of respecting freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz in accordance with international law," Al Thani said.

Meanwhile, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said on Thursday that the US and Iran were not currently engaged in negotiations, but US President Donald Trump "continues to retain all options on the table".

"We've had Operation Epic Fury to destroy their military. Now we have Operation Economic Outcast to destroy their economy," Leavitt was quoted as saying in an interview with Fox News.

"No negotiations are happening right now, and this will continue until the president feels that maybe they come to the table in a meaningful way," Leavitt said.

Earlier, Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council Mohsen Rezaei called the region "an interconnected chain" and outlined three conditions for a US deal, which include an end to the war on various fronts across West Asia; Israel's withdrawal from occupied Lebanese territories, and an end to the war in Gaza, Tasnim News Agency reported.

Contact the writers at jan@chinadailyapac.com