Washington: US President Donald Trump says he is considering several options over Iran, including further military action, continued economic pressure and a negotiated deal, as Tehran warns that any new US attack would trigger retaliation against American bases and interests in the Middle East.
Trump also said he would probably be open to meeting Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York this week. No meeting between the two leaders has been confirmed.
The latest developments come as Qatar continues efforts to revive negotiations between Washington and Tehran. The diplomatic push is taking place alongside growing military tensions and a sharp fall in shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran says it has conveyed conditions to the United States for returning to negotiations through Qatari mediators. Mohsen Rezaei, secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, said Tehran was waiting for a response from Washington.
Rezaei publicly identified three of Iran's conditions as an end to the war on all fronts, the release of frozen Iranian funds and an end to the US naval blockade of Iranian ports. He also said Iran had conveyed a wider set of conditions, but the other conditions have not been publicly detailed.
Qatar is continuing to communicate with both sides. Qatari Foreign Ministry spokesperson Majed Al Ansari said mediators were moving between capitals and exchanging proposals in an effort to help revive negotiations.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi left Tehran on Sunday evening for New York and was due to make a brief stop in Doha for consultations on regional developments before continuing to the United Nations General Assembly.
The diplomatic efforts come as Iran continues to make the Strait of Hormuz a central part of its position. Iranian officials have linked the reopening of the waterway to the fulfilment of conditions they say must be met by the United States.
The Strait of Hormuz connects the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and is a major route for global energy shipments. Shipping through the waterway has fallen sharply during the conflict.
Seventeen commodity vessels crossed the strait over the weekend, compared with 37 the previous week and an average of about 125 vessels a day before the war. The reduction highlights the continuing disruption to one of the world's most important energy routes.
Iran's parliament speaker, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, has said Tehran should continue using military pressure while pursuing diplomacy.
The United States is also maintaining a naval blockade on maritime traffic entering and leaving Iranian ports. Iran has demanded that the blockade be ended as part of the conditions it has publicly outlined for a return to negotiations.
Iran's military has separately claimed that the United States is preparing to resume attacks. The Khatam al Anbiya Central Headquarters said it had received information about preparations for a new US attack and warned that Iran would retaliate against US bases and interests in the Middle East.
Iran also warned regional countries that allow their territory or facilities to support US military operations that they could face an Iranian response.
The claim that the United States is preparing a new attack has not been independently established. Trump has said he is considering his options, but there has been no confirmed announcement of a new major US military operation.
The regional crisis has also widened with attacks by Yemen's Houthi movement against Saudi Arabia, adding to concerns about regional security and energy supplies.
A senior Houthi official has said the group has assured Washington that it will not target US vessels in the Red Sea, while continuing its confrontation with Saudi Arabia.
The current conflict began with US and Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28. The fighting has since involved Iran, Israel and the United States, while attacks and disruptions to shipping have affected security across the region.
The United Nations General Assembly is providing an important diplomatic setting as the crisis continues. The high level general debate begins on September 22 in New York, with world leaders gathering for the annual session.
Pezeshkian and Trump are both expected to be in New York for the General Assembly, creating an opportunity for diplomatic contacts. However, there is no confirmed agreement for the two leaders to meet.
The situation remains uncertain as Qatar works to revive negotiations. Iran says it is ready to consider diplomacy under its stated conditions, while Trump says he is weighing his next steps. At the same time, both sides continue to warn of further military escalation.