Egypt, Qatar call for restart of US-Iran talks

Egyptian and Qatari foreign ministers on Friday called on the United States and Iran to resume negotiations, Cairo's foreign ministry said, as US President Donald Trump repeated that the ceasefire between the two countries was over.

During a phone call, Egypt's Badr Abdelatty and Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed Bin Abdulrahman Al Thani "urged all parties to give priority to the language of diplomacy and dialogue and to return to the negotiating table," the ministry said in a statement.

They also called for "implementing the Memorandum of Understanding signed between the US and Iranian sides, as a prelude to reaching a final agreement between the two sides, in a manner that contributes to de-escalation and to enhancing regional security and stability", the statement added.

In a separate statement, Qatar's foreign ministry said Sheikh Mohammed stressed "the need for all parties to commit to dialogue and diplomacy" and to implement what had been agreed under the US-Iran memorandum of understanding, including "ensuring freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz" to preserve regional security and stability.

On his Truth Social platform on Friday, Trump said Iran had asked the United States to continue talks.

"We have agreed to do so, but the United States has stated to them, in no uncertain terms, that the Cease Fire is OVER!" he added.

The two sides have exchanged fire on several occasions this week, with Tehran targeting commercial ships, Washington carrying out strikes in response and Iran attacking US assets in Middle Eastern countries with drones and missiles.

A delegation from mediator Qatar arrived in Iran on Friday for talks, local media reported, following the latest escalation between the two countries.

Agence France-Presse