May 26, 2026, 05:30 GMT
The United States has carried out fresh military strikes in southern Iran, targeting missile launch sites and mine-laying boats in the Gulf. The Pentagon claims the operation was aimed at neutralizing threats to commercial shipping lanes in the Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint for global oil supplies.
Meanwhile, senior Iranian officials have arrived in Doha, Qatar, for indirect talks with U.S. negotiators. Mediated by Qatari diplomats, the discussions are expected to focus on easing tensions and exploring a framework for a potential ceasefire. Tehran insists that any agreement must include relief from U.S. sanctions, while Washington demands verifiable limits on Iran’s missile and nuclear programs.
The dual track of military escalation and diplomatic engagement underscores the fragile state of the conflict. Analysts warn that while the talks in Qatar offer a rare opening, continued strikes risk undermining trust and could derail negotiations before substantive progress is made.
(Source – Al Jazeera)
—Agencies
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