Iran seeks US clarity as Gulf tensions persist

Diplomatic efforts to prevent a return to all-out war in the Middle East are currently focused on securing a clear response from the United States. Iranian officials say the next steps in the conflict depend on how Washington answers specific questions posed by Tehran during ongoing consultations.

Abbas Araghchi, Iran's top diplomat, stated on Saturday that Iranian negotiators are in Qatar discussing a proposal. This plan could reopen the Strait of Hormuz within two days if the U.S. meets several conditions. Araghchi emphasized that no direct talks are currently being held with American counterparts, though he expressed hope that Washington would choose diplomacy over other paths.

The Iranian official said his country is prepared for both defense and diplomacy, depending on the rationality displayed by the U.S. side. He shared these comments in an interview on his Telegram channel, noting that the final outcome relies on the answers provided by the United States to the Iranian questions.

In Washington, President Donald Trump told reporters on Saturday that he had a very good talk with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The two leaders discussed the war in Iran, though Trump provided no further details about the conversation. Netanyahu has not publicly commented on the call.

Political observers in Israel have noted that Netanyahu may be eager to attack Iran again to salvage his political standing. His coalition lost its majority in parliament during elections held last week. This shift in domestic power dynamics adds a layer of complexity to the regional diplomatic efforts currently underway.

Violence continued in Gaza, where Israeli strikes killed eight people on Sunday. A strike in the southern city of Khan Younis killed five people, according to Nasser Hospital. Another strike in Gaza City killed three people, including a four-year-old boy, and seriously wounded a woman, according to Shifa Hospital. Israel's military said it struck militants in Khan Younis and a Hamas militant in northern Gaza.

A ceasefire established in October 2025 has largely halted major fighting, but near-daily strikes have continued. Gaza's Health Ministry reports that more than 1,570 Palestinians have been killed 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 says its strikes target militants and accuses Hamas of using civilians as human shields.

In Yemen, Iran-backed Houthi rebels reported two airstrikes on the medical school at the University of Hodeida. The rebels blamed Saudi Arabia for the strikes, which were broadcast on Houthi-run Al-Masirah TV. The Saudi-led coalition said it carried out a precision operation but did not immediately confirm casualty figures. The port city of Hodeida has been under attack since fighting escalated months ago.

Qatar's liquefied natural gas shipping company Nakilat announced that one of its vessels, the Al Mayeda, was struck by unidentified objects in the Persian Gulf on Friday night. The company said no crew members were injured and there was no environmental impact, with the vessel remaining operational. Qatar's foreign ministry condemned the attack and said authorities were investigating, noting that such incidents risk damaging the environment and marine life.

The United Nations is calling for an investigation after Mohammad el Shami, a staffer with its human rights office, died in the custody of Houthi rebels. El Shami had been held since June 2024, and the Houthis never provided proof of life despite repeated requests. He is the second U.N. employee to die in Houthi custody since a World Food Program worker died in February 2025.