US President Donald Trump said Washington and Tehran had agreed to continue discussions despite recent tensions, but insisted that the ceasefire between the two countries was no longer in effect.
Trump’s remarks came as the United States increased pressure on Iran to stop attacks on vessels passing through the Strait of Hormuz, a key global shipping route that has seen rising tensions and contributed to higher oil prices.
The latest developments followed a week of renewed conflict, with three commercial tankers from Qatar and Saudi Arabia reportedly coming under attack. The United States responded by striking Iranian targets, while Iran later carried out attacks on US military facilities in Gulf countries.
However, no new attacks were reported on Friday as regional mediators attempted to revive diplomatic efforts aimed at ending the conflict that began on February 28 following US and Israeli strikes on Iran.
“The Islamic Republic of Iran has asked us to continue talks. We have agreed to do so, but the United States has made it clear that the ceasefire is over,” Trump said in a statement on Truth Social.
Iran, however, disputed Trump’s claim, saying it had not requested negotiations with Washington but had agreed to receive a Qatari mediator in Tehran to discuss efforts to reduce tensions.
Qatari officials were reportedly engaging with Iranian representatives to help ease the situation, including discussions over maritime security and the movement of vessels through the Strait of Hormuz.
The United States has demanded that Iran publicly confirm it will stop attacks on ships and ensure all shipping routes through the strait remain open without restrictions.
US officials said recent discussions had shown progress but warned that further action depended on Iran’s response.
Iran, meanwhile, said any violation of commitments by Washington would be met with retaliatory measures, according to its Foreign Ministry.
The conflict has raised concerns over global energy supplies, with renewed clashes in the Gulf causing crude oil prices to record their largest weekly increase in eight weeks.
The Strait of Hormuz, which previously handled around one-fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas shipments, remains a major focus in the ongoing standoff.
The tensions have also deepened uncertainty over Iran’s leadership following the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in an airstrike on the first day of the conflict.
Khamenei was buried on Thursday at a major religious site in Mashhad after days of funeral ceremonies, while his successor Mojtaba Khamenei has remained largely out of public view, raising questions over Iran’s political direction.
