U.S. President Donald Trump discussed efforts to de-escalate tensions in the Middle East in a telephone call with Qatar's emir, the Gulf state leader's office said Friday, as the region remained on edge over the possibility of renewed U.S. military action against Iran.
Meanwhile, deadly airstrikes at a popular market in a city in neighboring Yemen killed at least 30 people Friday, the health ministry run by the country's Houthi rebels said.
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Here is the latest news from the Middle East on Friday. Read our full coverage here.
Iran is reviewing proposals presented by chief mediator Qatar aimed at addressing differences with the United States about Tehran’s nuclear program, two Middle East government officials said Friday.
The development is raising hopes that the two sides could be inching toward indirect talks on one of the thorniest issues that President Donald Trump says must be resolved as part of any deal meant to end the more than 8-month-old war.
But one of the officials stressed that the Iranians, at least at the moment, remain unwilling to engage in negotiations with the Trump administration over its atomic activities until the U.S. agrees to several core conditions that Iran has been demanding be part of any ceasefire agreement.
Both officials were not authorized to comment publicly on the delicate negotiations and spoke on the condition of anonymity.
The telephone call between Trump and Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al Thani centered on international efforts to end tensions, according to a statement from the Qatari ruler's media office. The two discussed in particular Qatar’s mediation efforts aimed at reaching “a comprehensive agreement that ends the crisis and achieves security and stability in the region.”
Qatar has been mediating between the United States and Iran to end the war. Qatar and other U.S.-allied Gulf Arab countries came under heavy fire by Iran earlier in the U.S.-Iran war and have been anxious to avoid a new escalation that could leave them vulnerable to attacks.
During the call, Sheik Tamim “stressed the importance of continuing dialogue and adopting diplomatic means to resolve disputes, sparing the region further escalation, and ensuring freedom of maritime navigation and the security of energy supplies,” according to the statement.
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi held separate phone calls with his Iraqi and Tunisian counterparts on Friday to outline diplomatic progress aimed at easing tensions in the region.
Araghchi outlined in his call with Iraq’s Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein the Islamic Republic’s vision to resume negotiations with the U.S., according to Iraq’s News Agency.
Araghchi said Iran’s vision, which he said was presented to the U.S. before the midterm elections, includes reopening the Strait of Hormuz, setting a timetable for the start of negotiations, and adding issues related to Iran’s nuclear program, Iraq's state media said.
Earlier this week, he talked with Turkey and Gulf leaders about regional developments and securing freedom of maritime navigation.
Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty stressed the need to prioritize diplomatic solutions during a call Thursday with Araghchi.
Abdelatty urged all sides to display flexibility and compromise to reach a political solution and avoid further escalation, Egyptian Foreign Ministry spokesman Nader Zaki said.
Airstrikes hit a popular market in southwestern Yemen on Friday, killing at least 30 people, according to an official with the Iran-backed Houthi rebels.
If confirmed, it would be one of the deadliest attacks since fighting resumed between the Houthis and Saudi-backed government forces.
Yemen’s Saudi-backed military and the Houthi rebels traded accusations over responsibility for the deadly airstrike on the market. The Associated Press could not independently verify their claims.
Another eight people were wounded in the airstrikes on the market in al-Waziyah in the province of Taiz, a Houthi health ministry spokesperson, Anees Alsabahi, said on X.
Taiz is mostly controlled by the Houthis, who have besieged the provincial capital, where the Saudi-allied government and its forces are based.
Italy’s Foreign Ministry said Friday it was seeking the release of several Italians detained by Israeli authorities in the occupied West Bank while assisting Palestinian farmers during the olive harvest.
The ministry said the group may include four Italian activists and two Italian journalists, though officials were still verifying the number and identities of those involved.
Italy’s embassy in Tel Aviv and consulate in Jerusalem have asked Israeli authorities for their immediate release and for consular access. The detainees are being held at a police station in the Israeli settlement of Modi’in Illit and are expected to be transferred to a holding facility at Ben Gurion Airport pending deportation on the first available flights.
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This report will be updated throughout the day as new developments emerge.
