Qatar has stepped up its mediation efforts in the ongoing US-Iran conflict. On Thursday, Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani visited Tehran and urged Iran to return to diplomatic negotiations.

During a meeting with Iran’s top negotiator, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, Al Thani discussed the possibility of restarting talks. Ghalibaf responded that Tehran could return to negotiations if the United States stopped using the territory of neighbouring countries to launch attacks against Iran.

The meeting also covered the security of the Strait of Hormuz and the movement of ships through the strategic waterway. Iran said it would soon decide whether to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump said Washington would maintain economic pressure on Iran until Tehran shows interest in meaningful negotiations. The White House said new diplomatic talks with Iran would begin only when the president determines that the timing is appropriate.