By Emmanuel Bobby
U.S. President Donald Trump announced Friday that Iran has requested to continue diplomatic negotiations with the United States, but emphasized that Washington no longer considers the previously declared ceasefire to be in effect.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump said Tehran had reached out in an effort to restart discussions after days of military confrontation that heightened fears of a wider regional conflict.
“The Islamic Republic of Iran has asked us 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!” Trump wrote.
His remarks come after one of the most dangerous weeks of confrontation between the United States and Iran in recent months. The crisis intensified after three commercial oil tankers from Qatar and Saudi Arabia came under attack in the Gulf, prompting the United States to launch strikes against Iranian targets. Iran responded by firing missiles at U.S. military installations in neighboring Gulf countries on Thursday, raising concerns that the conflict could spread across the region.
Despite the renewed violence, diplomatic efforts are continuing behind the scenes. According to a source familiar with the negotiations, Qatari officials met with Iranian counterparts on Friday in an effort to reduce tensions and prevent further military escalation.
The discussions are also focused on maintaining safe navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most strategically important waterways. Nearly a fifth of the global oil supply passes through the narrow shipping lane, making any disruption there a major concern for international energy markets and global trade.
Shipping activity through the strait appeared to slow on Friday as tanker operators assessed the security risks following the attacks. The latest violence has renewed concerns over the stability of global oil supplies and highlighted the fragile security situation in the Gulf.
According to the source, the negotiations in Tehran are intended to address implementation of the existing U.S.-Iran memorandum of understanding while also resolving the disputes that fueled the recent escalation between Washington and Tehran. Among the issues under discussion are maritime security, freedom of navigation, and mechanisms to prevent future military incidents in the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran’s semi-official Tasnim News Agency confirmed that a Qatari delegation had arrived in Tehran, a move many regional analysts view as part of Doha’s continuing role as a mediator between Iran and Western powers. Qatar has frequently acted as an intermediary during periods of heightened regional tensions and has maintained communication channels with both Washington and Tehran.
The diplomatic outreach follows recent accusations by Qatari officials concerning an alleged incident involving maritime activity in the Strait of Hormuz, adding another layer of complexity to already strained regional relations.
Financial markets reacted cautiously to the latest developments. Oil prices declined modestly on Friday after earlier surges but remained on course to post weekly gains of roughly 5%, reflecting continued investor concerns about potential disruptions to energy exports from the Gulf.
Meanwhile, uncertainty continues to surround a new wave of airstrikes that struck targets inside Iran after U.S. officials declared their military operation had concluded.
The strikes, which occurred Thursday as Iran prepared funeral ceremonies for the late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, targeted multiple locations across southern Iran. Iranian authorities have not officially identified who carried out the attacks, fueling speculation about whether another military actor was involved.
Although Tehran has stopped short of publicly assigning blame, one Iranian lawmaker warned the United Arab Emirates over allegations that it had provided support for the U.S. military campaign against Iran. No evidence has been publicly presented to support those claims.
The governments of Gulf Arab states, several of which have previously been targeted by Iranian missile and drone attacks since the conflict began on Feb. 28, did not immediately comment on the latest strikes or the accusations directed toward the region.
Israel, which participated in earlier military operations against Iran during the conflict, has also remained silent regarding the latest attacks. Israeli officials have neither confirmed nor denied involvement in the new airstrikes, leaving unanswered questions about who was responsible.
As diplomatic efforts continue alongside ongoing military uncertainty, the situation remains highly volatile. While Washington and Tehran appear willing to keep communication channels open, Trump’s declaration that the ceasefire has ended underscores how fragile any path toward de-escalation remains amid continuing security threats across the Middle East.
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