DOHA, 4th August, 2026 (WAM) -- His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Emir of the State of Qatar, received today a telephone call from President of the United States of America Donald Trump.
Qatari emir, Trump discuss developments with Iran Qatari Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani held a phone call on Tuesday with US President Donald Trump on recent regional developments with Iran, according to a statement by the emir’s office. The leaders discussed efforts to “deescalate” US-Iran tensions and “bridge the gap” in their positions. The statement said that during the call, Trump praised Qatar’s role in “supporting diplomatic efforts and facilitating dialogue”, while the emir stressed the need for all parties to adhere to the US-Iran MoU agreed in June.
Iran’s leaders have perplexed several American presidents, perhaps none more than President Trump.
Masoud Pezeshkian dismisses talk of internal rift as hardline Assembly of Experts call US negotiations ‘futile’ Middle East crisis live – latest updates Masoud Pezeshkian, Iran’s president, has been forced to deny claims that he has repeatedly threatened to resign as he battles hardline factions opposed to reaching a settlement with the US over the strait of Hormuz. The US and Europe hope a deal is imminent to reopen the strait and they are putting pressure on Oman to accept a temporary agreement that officials in Muscat fear will leave Iran retaining near permanent dominance of the vital oil shipping channel. Ships would enter the strait in a route close to Iran, but leave on a route that passes through Iranian and Omani waters.
Her attack on multipolarity mistakes a shift in global power for a plot, confusing structural change with hostile intent Laura Loomer's recentcondemnation of multipolaritymarks one of the clearest attempts within the American Right to define the emerging new international order as an existential threat rather than an inevitable transformation.
Talks with Oman over Hormuz proceeding ‘positively’, Iran’s foreign ministry says Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said on Tuesday that Iran and Oman are amid negotiations for a route through the Strait of Hormuz aimed to ensure sovereign rights and national security considerations for both countries. Baghaei said that talks have “been assessed positively at both the technical and political levels” to manage the safe flow of traffic through the waterway, in comments carried by Iran’s IRIB broadcaster.
ABOARD AIR FORCE ONE/DUBAI: Iran said on August 3 that there were no ongoing talks with the United States and no plans for any meetings, directly contradicting claims made by U. S. President Donald Trump.
Qatar, which has mediated, said a draft deal was being circulated, while the U. S. Treasury secretary suggested an agreement may be imminent.
Labour Friends of Israel defends major West Bank settlement blocs Submitted by Imran Mulla on Tue, 08/04/2026 - 11:59 Lobby group publishes briefing urging the Burnham government not to ban settlement goods A picture taken from the Israeli-occupied West Bank city of Hebron shows the Israeli Gush Etzion settlement bloc on 5 March 2017 (AFP) Off The Labour Friends of Israel (LFI) lobby group has published a report apparently justifying some illegal Israeli settlements in occupied Palestine and urging the British government not to ban goods produced by them. This comes as Andy Burnham's Labour government is believed to be considering imposing a ban on imports from Israeli settlements, which according to British policy are all in occupied Palestinian territory. LFI is a group within the Labour Party which is believed to count more than 70 MPs as affiliates, although it no longer keeps a public list.
There have been conflicting signals from the US and Iran, with Tehran denying President Trump's assertion that talks are under way.
Afternoon update Good afternoon Middle East Eye readers, Here are the latest developments from across the region: Qatar and US officials have said talks are ongoing between Iran and the US to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, though Tehran has not confirmed this is the case. US President Donald Trump said this was the "last chance" for Iran to come to an agreement "before decapitation", while Iran said it was "not seeking to expand the war". The US treasury secretary said a US-Iran deal could happen "today or tomorrow", while Marco Rubio said "progress" was made today and a "deal will happen very shortly", though there is "no finality yet".
Marco Rubio says progress has been made in talks with Iran Marco Rubio, the US secretary of state, told reporters at the state department on Tuesday that there had been "progress made in [Iran] talks, but not finality yet". He added: "We're hoping that will happen very shortly. " US President Donald Trump said on Monday that this was the "last chance" for Iran to come to an agreement "before decapitation".
The mass crossing may have been a test of Spains ability to retain the strategic enclave, the British journalist has suggested The mass migrant crossing into Spain's enclave of Ceuta in North Africa may have been part of a coordinated US-Israeli campaign to challenge Madrid's control of the Strait of Gibraltar, British journalist and RT contributor Martin Jay has suggested.
Iran's president was driven to a secret location in Tehran, led into the back seat of a car with tinted windows, and granted a few minutes in the dark beside a man he could not see. Afterwards, Masoud Pezeshkian asked whether the voice had really been the supreme leader's.
Tehran [Iran], August 4 (ANI): Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian asserted on Monday that Tehran is not interested in stoking regional conflict, while making it clear that the nation will uncompromisingly safeguard its sovereignty. According to Press TV, Pezeshkian said, 'The Islamic Republic of Iran does not seek to escalate tensions or instability in the region.
Board of Peace caves to Netanyahu and rewrites Israeli withdrawal terms from Gaza Submitted by MEE staff on Tue, 08/04/2026 - 11:45 Board ties any Israeli withdrawal to complete disarmament by Hamas, reversing its earlier phased approach US President Donald Trump attends the inaugural meeting of the "Board of Peace" at the US Institute of Peace in Washington, DC, on 19 February 2026 (Saul Loeb/AFP) Off The US -backed Board of Peace has hardened the conditions for an Israeli withdrawal from Gaza after its senior officials met Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The board linked any Israeli withdrawal beyond the Yellow Line, which divides Gaza into areas occupied by Israeli and Palestinian control, to the complete disarmament of Hamas, abandoning the phased approach it presented last week. “Contrary to inaccurate reports, we note that the withdrawal of the IDF beyond the Yellow Line will take place only once decommissioning is complete, as Hamas committed to the mediators.
US treasury secretary says Hormuz deal with Iran could happen 'today or tomorrow' Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said that the US could reach a deal with Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz by Wednesday, adding that this would stabilise energy prices. "We are in talks with the Iranians, and I think there is a chance we may have a deal today or tomorrow to open the strait and move towards a more normalized position in this conflict," Bessent said in an interview with CNBC. Bessent was optimistic on the impact a deal with Iran over the strait would have on energy prices, where he said hundreds of ships are waiting to pass.
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian dismissed rumors that he plans to resign, saying he will remain in office and continue his work while rejecting claims of differences between his administration and the Leader of the Islamic Revolution.
Trump insists Iran talks under way, warns Tehran’s ‘last chance’ to secure deal Submitted by MEE staff on Tue, 08/04/2026 - 11:07 Iran denies direct negotiations, warns that US military blockade carries the threat of ‘serious risks and casualties’ People walk past an anti-US billboard on a street in Tehran, Iran, 3 August 2026 (Majid Asgaripour/WANA via Reuters) Off US President Donald Trump claims that direct negotiations with Iran are under way, and has warned that the latest round is Tehran’s “last chance” to secure a deal to end the war. Esmaeil Baghaei, Iran's foreign ministry spokesperson, denied that any direct negotiations with Washington were ongoing, nor any plans for meetings, as the talks over the management of the Strait of Hormuz remain mediated by Oman. According to sources who spoke to Anadolu, Pakistani and Qatari negotiators are working to secure a meeting date and venue.
How Morocco's Gaza deployment is reshaping its ties with Israel Submitted by Caroline Dupuy on Tue, 08/04/2026 - 09:41 Rabat frames joining stabilisation force as humanitarian mission, but activists decry move as 'complicity in post-war occupation' Moroccans celebrate the UN Security Council's backing of Morocco's autonomy plan for Western Sahara in Rabat, 31 October 2025 (Abdel Majid Bziouat/AFP) Off In July, Morocco became the first Arab and African nation to deploy its military to the International Stabilisation Force (ISF) in Palestine under Donald Trump’s "peace plan" for Gaza, bolstered by his equally dubious Board of Peace (BoP). Morocco signed an agreement in Rabat on 15 July to formalise its participation in the ISF. The signing ceremony took place in the presence of Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita; Nickolay Mladenov, director general of the BoP; senior defence officials and ISF commander Jasper Jeffers.
