US President Donald Trump has said he has no fixed timeline for Iran to return to negotiations, as Qatar steps up diplomatic efforts to de-escalate the conflict between Washington and Tehran.
Speaking to Al Jazeera on Wednesday, Trump said he was "not in a hurry" to resume talks and that the US would continue to apply economic and military pressure on Iran.
"I have no time schedule, none. I'm not in a hurry. I have no time schedule at all," Trump said when asked how much time he was giving Iran to return to negotiations.
Trump said the US was 'winning very big' and cited Iran's economic difficulties to explain his position.
"We are winning very big. They've got massive inflation, their economy is falling apart, they're treating their people very badly, they are killing many, many protesters. I have no time schedule; whatever it takes," he said.
Asked whether economic measures were more effective than military strikes, Trump said, "I think they are both effective."
Trump's remarks came as Qatar's Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani prepared to travel to Tehran on Thursday for talks with Iranian officials aimed at de-escalating tensions and creating conditions for dialogue. Qatar has been a key intermediary between Washington and Tehran.
Qatar's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Majed Al Ansari said the visit reflected Doha's "firm position that the diplomatic path is the best means of resolving differences & promoting security & stability in the region".
The talks will also focus on "freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz & the need for it to return to the status quo prior to February 28," Al Ansari said.
The diplomatic push comes as the conflict approaches its six-month mark, with the US and Iran still divided over the Strait of Hormuz and the broader terms of a political settlement.
Trump also said he believed Iranian Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei was alive despite being severely injured in the conflict.
"I don't think he's dead," Trump told US commentator Glenn Beck, adding that Khamenei was "very seriously wounded."
Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has told allied foreign ministers that Washington does not currently intend to launch fresh military strikes against Iran "for the time being", Axios reported.
The administration is instead seeking to increase pressure through economic measures and a naval blockade, while keeping the military option open.
On August 24, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced "Operation Economic Outcast", aimed at cutting Iran's financial links and restricting revenue sources supporting the Iranian government.
Qatar's latest mediation effort follows a recent visit to Tehran by Pakistan Army Chief Asim Munir. Pakistan has also been involved in efforts to broker a settlement, with discussions focused on de-escalation and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.
Friday will mark six months since the US launched its military campaign against Iran on February 28. Trump had earlier said the conflict would last only "four to six" weeks.
In June, Washington and Tehran had signed a 60-day memorandum of understanding covering issues including transit through the Strait of Hormuz, sanctions relief and talks on Iran's nuclear programme. The agreement expired earlier this month.
(With inputs from ANI)
