Iran Seeks Strait Reopening as Qatari Ship Hit in Gulf
Diplomatic talks in Qatar focus on conditions for opening the Strait of Hormuz, while a Nakilat vessel reports damage and Gaza strikes continue.
By Evelyn Adeyemi ·
Iranian officials are pressing for diplomatic solutions to prevent a renewed all-out war, with negotiations currently underway in Qatar. These talks center on a proposal that could allow the Strait of Hormuz to reopen within two days, provided the United States meets specific conditions. The outcome depends on Washington's response to a set of questions posed by Tehran.
Abbas Araghchi, Iran's top diplomat, stated that his country is prepared for both defense and diplomacy. In an interview shared on Telegram, he expressed hope that the United States would choose diplomacy over other paths. He emphasized that the final decision rests on the rationality of the American side. Araghchi clarified that while Iranian negotiators are in Qatar, no direct talks are currently occurring between the two nations.
Simultaneously, a Qatari shipping company reported that one of its vessels was struck by unidentified objects in the Persian Gulf. Nakilat, also known as Qatar Gas Transport Co., said the vessel Al Mayeda sustained damage on Friday night. The company confirmed that no crew members were injured and there was no environmental impact. The ship remains operational, though the statement did not identify who fired the objects.
Qatar's foreign ministry condemned the incident and launched an investigation. The ministry noted that such attacks risk damaging the environment and marine life. Iran has previously claimed responsibility for similar attacks on ships and warned against vessels passing through the Strait of Hormuz without its permission.
In Gaza, Israeli military strikes killed eight people on Sunday, including a four-year-old boy. Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis received five bodies from a strike in that southern city. Shifa Hospital in Gaza City reported three deaths, including the young boy, and a woman seriously wounded from another strike. The Israeli military said it targeted several militants in Khan Younis and one Hamas militant in northern Gaza.
A ceasefire established in October 2025 has largely halted major fighting, but near-daily strikes continue. Gaza's Health Ministry, part of the Hamas-run government, reported that more than 1,570 Palestinians have died since the truce began. This brings the war's overall death toll to more than 74,500. The ministry does not distinguish between civilians and militants, while Israel states the strikes aim at militant targets.
In Yemen, the United Nations called for an investigation into the death of a staffer from its human rights office. Mohammad el Shami had been held by Iran-backed Houthi rebels since June 2024. U.N. spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said the Houthis never provided information on his well-being or proof of life despite repeated requests. This is the second U.N. employee to die in Houthi custody, following a World Food Program worker in February 2025.
The Houthis also reported two airstrikes on the University of Hodeida's medical school, blaming Saudi Arabia for the attacks. The Saudi-led coalition described the action as a precision operation but gave no immediate word on casualties. Separately, Iran designated the British navy and air force as terrorist organizations and declared MI6 a hostile entity, accusing the United Kingdom of supporting U.S.-Israeli attacks on Iran.
