Top U.S. diplomat Marco Rubio met Saturday with the leader of Mideast ally Qatar, the State Department said, highlighting the Gulf state’s role as a key intermediary for Washington as it awaited Tehran’s response on a peace proposal.

“The Secretary expressed appreciation for Qatar’s partnership on a range of issues,” State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott said in a statement on the meeting between Rubio and Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, who is also Qatar’s Moreign Minister.

“The Secretary and the Foreign Minister also discussed U.S. support for Qatar’s defense, and the importance of continued close coordination to deter threats and promote stability and security across the Middle East.”

-AFP

Vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, Musandam, Oman, May 8, 2026.
| Photo Credit: Reuters

The U.S. Treasury on Friday announced sanctions against ‌10 individuals and companies, including several in China and ⁠Hong Kong, for aiding efforts by Iran’s military to secure weapons and raw ‌materials used to build Tehran’s Shahed drones.

The Treasury move, ‌first reported by Reuters, ‌comes ⁠days before U.S. President Donald Trump ⁠plans to travel to China for a meeting with President Xi Jinping and as efforts ‌to end the war with Iran have stalled.

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U.S. President Donald Trump predicted on ‌Wednesday night that the war ⁠in Iran will be over quickly, as he ‌seeks a deal to ‌end the ‌stalemate ⁠over the Strait of ⁠Hormuz and Tehran’s nuclear program.

“When you look at ‌the kind of things that are happening, we are doing ‌that for one very important reason: We ⁠cannot allow them to have a ‌nuclear weapon. So I think most people understand that. They understand that what ‌we are doing is right, and it’ll be over quickly,” Mr. ⁠Trump told a ⁠tele-rally for Georgia Republican Governor candidate ‌Burt Jones. 

-Reuters

At a press conference in Tehran, when you were asked what means and support you have to counter the United States— a super power — you responded by saying that Iran is also a superpower. Could you elaborate on this thought?

It is true that a nation which has demonstrated its determination and resilience in defending its sovereignty and dignity against two nuclear-armed regimes — in my view, that itself is proof that such a nation should be considered a superpower.

What is the current status of talks between the U.S. and Iran? There has been a lot of draft exchanges, but where do things stand today?

We are currently studying their latest proposal, which was sent in response to our 40-point proposal. It is under review, and once we complete our assessment of the document, we will submit our response to the Pakistani mediators.

Do you think the gap is too wide to be bridged, or is there still a possibility of reaching an understanding?

You have to consider the very difficult history of Iran–U.S. negotiations. It is true that while we were engaged in dialogue and a diplomatic process, they attacked us [In June 2025 and February 2026] — this reflects the deep level of mistrust between Iran and the U.S.

Also, knowing that the nuclear issue has been used as a pretext to exert pressure on Iran means that we need to invest significant time and energy in evaluating all aspects of any potential agreement. As I said, we are currently reviewing their proposals and suggestions, and we will see what happens next.

U.S. President Donald Trump says Iran is internally divided, and it’s unclear who is actually making decisions, with the IRGC saying one thing and the political leadership another. What is your response to these claims?

That is their problem. Perhaps they do not understand how things work in Iran. But we do — we know exactly what is happening here. Fundamentally, we will not be distracted by such misleading narratives coming from U.S. officials. We will remain focused on our national interests.

How do you see India–Iran relations? People in India would want to know whether Iran will impose any charges on Indian ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz?

We do not charge any country. What we are doing in the Strait of Hormuz is, as a coastal state, taking certain measures in accordance with international law to safeguard our national security and national interests against aggressors.

As for India–Iran relations, the ties between our countries are flourishing. We feel very close to the people of India. We are proud of the history of Iran–India relations. Both countries are members of the Non-Aligned Movement, and I believe the leaders of both nations are committed and eager to continue strengthening these good relations.

White House officials are pressing China to use its influence with Iran to open the Strait of Hormuz just days before President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping’s highly anticipated summit in Beijing.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio called on Chinese officials to use Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi’s scheduled visit to China to urge Tehran to release its chokehold on the critical waterway.

“I hope the Chinese tell him what he needs to be told,” Mr. Rubio said during a White House briefing Tuesday. “And that is that what you are doing in the strait is causing you to be globally isolated. You’re the bad guy in this.”

-AP

U.S. President Donald Trump launched a new operation on Monday (May 4, 2026) seeking to open the Strait of Hormuz to shipping, prompting Iran to lash out in an effort to keep control of the critical ‌energy shipping route.

A handful of commercial vessels were reported to have been hit and a UAE oil port was ablaze after an Iranian strike as Mr. Trump’s attempt to use the U.S. Navy to free up shipping provoked the war’s biggest escalation since ⁠a ceasefire was declared four weeks ago. The U.S. said it destroyed six small Iranian boats.

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President Donald Trump waves before departing on Marine One from the South Lawn of the White House on, May 1, 2026, in Washington.
| Photo Credit: AP

A woman holds a picture of the Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei in a state-organised rally on April 29, 2026.
| Photo Credit: AP

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi had been in Oman, which previously mediated talks and is located on the other side of the strategic Strait of Hormuz.
| Photo Credit: Reuters