Washington, United States. U.S. President Donald Trump said on Friday that Iran had asked to continue talks and that the United States had agreed, but added that the ceasefire was over. His comments came as Qatari negotiators met Iranian officials to seek to de-escalate tensions after recent exchanges of fire between Iran and the United States.
Trump statement
Trump said Iran had asked to continue “talks” and that the United States had agreed to do so, while also stating that the ceasefire was over.
He wrote: “The Islamic Republic of Iran has asked us to continue ‘talks.’ We have agreed to do so, but the United States has stated to them, in no uncertain terms, that the Cease Fire is OVER!”
Recent attacks and response
Trump’s remarks followed attacks this week in which three Qatari and Saudi commercial tankers came under fire. The incidents prompted the United States to strike Iranian sites, and Iran responded with strikes on U.S. military installations in neighbouring Gulf states on Thursday.
Qatari mediation efforts
A source with knowledge of the situation told Reuters that Qatari negotiators were meeting officials in Iran on Friday to seek to de-escalate tensions after Iran and the United States exchanged fire and to discuss navigation through the Strait of Hormuz.
According to the source, the talks in Iran aim to address implementation of the U.S.-Iran memorandum of understanding and the issues that triggered the recent escalation between Washington and Tehran, including disputes over navigation in the strait.
Iran’s semi-official Tasnim news agency reported that a Qatari delegation visited Iran in what an analyst said appeared to be an effort by Doha to consolidate its role as a mediator. The visit follows Qatari accusations against Iran over an alleged incident in the strait.
Shipping and oil market impact
Daily tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz appeared to have slowed on Friday after the series of attacks increased concerns about the recovery of global oil supplies and shipping and underscored the fragility of the interim truce.
Oil prices eased on Friday but remained on track for weekly gains of 5% after the flare-up.