Qatar FM urges US, Iran to be open to mediation in call with Iranian FM

Qatar's foreign minister told his Iranian counterpart on Monday that Iran and the United States should engage positively with mediation efforts, warning that maritime routes must not be used as "bargaining tools".

Qatari Foreign Minister and Premier Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani "stressed the importance of all parties responding positively to the ongoing mediation efforts," in a call with Abbas Araghchi.

"He also emphasised the need to open maritime routes, guarantee freedom of navigation, and refrain from using them as a tool for pressure or bargaining," according to a statement released by the foreign ministry.

US President Donald Trump warned that any Iranian attack boats that approach the naval blockade he has ordered around the country's ports will be destroyed, despite international calls for a ceasefire to be respected and negotiations to resume.

The US military said the blockade would begin at 1400 GMT and apply to all ships leaving or seeking to dock at Iranian harbours, but as the deadline passed there was no announcement that the measure had come into effect, nor sign of any interceptions.

In a social media post, Trump said the bulk of Iran's navy had already been destroyed during the war, but that if any of what he said were Tehran's few remaining "fast attack ships" approach the blockade "they will be immediately ELIMINATED".

Agencies