Qatar’s Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani told Iran's foreign minister in a phone call Saturday that any closure of the Strait of Hormuz will “further deepen the crisis” in the region, a report said.
The state-run Qatar News Agency said during the call with Abbas Araghchi, Al-Thani “reaffirmed the State of Qatar's unwavering support for efforts aimed at reaching a comprehensive agreement to end the crisis, stressing the need for all parties to engage constructively in order to secure sustainable peace and enduring stability in the region.”
“His Excellency further emphasized that freedom of navigation remains a fundamental principle that cannot be compromised, warning that any closure of the Strait of Hormuz or attempts to use it as a means of pressure would further deepen the crisis and threaten the vital interests of countries across the region,” it continued.
Al-Thani also “underscored the importance of adhering to international law and the principles of good neighborliness, while prioritizing the interests of the region and its peoples in a way that reinforces regional and international security and stability and advances de-escalation efforts,” according to the report.
The call comes as a Qatari negotiation team is in Tehran on Friday and Saturday "to support the U.S. to reach a final deal that would end the war and address outstanding issues with Iran," an official with knowledge of the visit told Fox News on Friday.
Fox News’ Trey Yingst contributed to this post.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Saturday that U.S. issues with Iran “will be solved as the president's made clear, one way or the other.”
“There's been some progress done, some progress made. Even as I speak to you now, there's some work being done. There is a chance that whether it's later today, tomorrow, in a couple of days, we may have something to say,” Rubio said regarding a potential deal with Iran.
“But this issue needs to be solved, as the president has said, one way or the other. Iran can never have a nuclear weapon. The straits need to be opened without tolls. They need to turn over their enriched uranium,” Rubio continued.
“These are the president's points consistently, and his preference is always to deal with it in a diplomatic way. The president's preference is always to solve problems such as these through a negotiated diplomatic solution. That's what we're working on right now. But this problem will be solved as the president's made clear, one way or the other. We hope it's done through the diplomatic route,” Rubio added.
U.S. Central Command announced Saturday that the ongoing military blockade of Iranian ports has "reached the milestone of redirecting 100 commercial vessels.”
“Over the past six weeks, more than 15,000 Soldiers, Sailors, Marines and Airmen have redirected 100 vessels, disabled four, and allowed 26 humanitarian aid ships to pass,” CENTCOM said.
The blockade first went into effect on April 13. "Our service members are doing extraordinary work," CENTCOM commander Adm. Brad Cooper said in a statement. "They have been highly effective by executing the mission with precision and professionalism, allowing zero trade into and out of Iranian ports which has squeezed Iran economically."
CENTCOM added that more than 200 aircraft and warships are supporting the effort, including “the Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group, George H.W. Bush Carrier Strike Group, Tripoli Amphibious Ready Group/31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, and multiple guided-missile destroyers.”
“The blockade is being enforced against vessels of all nations entering or departing Iranian ports and coastal areas, including all Iranian ports on the Arabian Gulf and Gulf of Oman,” it also said.
{{#rendered}}Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani held a phone call Saturday with President Donald Trump to discuss ongoing Pakistan-led efforts to bring an end to the U.S.-Iran war, according to the Qatar News Agency.
“During the call, they discussed the latest developments in the region, particularly regional and international efforts aimed at consolidating calm and de-escalating tensions, foremost among them supporting the diplomatic efforts led by Pakistan to spare the region further tension and preserve international peace and security,” a report said.
“The call also addressed the importance of continuing dialogue to address current issues, safeguarding maritime security and the safety of strategic waterways, and ensuring the smooth flow of global supply and energy chains,” it added.
Fox News Digital has reached out to the White House for comment.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio told Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday that the U.S. won’t let Iran “hold the global energy market hostage.”
“The Secretary and Prime Minister discussed the current situation in the Middle East. The Secretary emphasized that the United States will not let Iran hold the global energy market hostage and affirmed that U.S. energy products have the potential to diversify India’s energy supply,” State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott said in a statement.
India, which imports nearly 90% of its crude and about half its natural gas from abroad, is the world's third-biggest oil importer and consumer, FOX Business reported in March.
India’s Reliance Industries, which operates the world's biggest refining facility, reportedly bought 5 million barrels of Iranian oil after the U.S. temporarily lifted sanctions earlier this year.
FOX Business' Kyra Colah contributed to this post.
The Israel Defense Forces said it struck an underground Hezbollah weapons production site in Lebanon overnight.
The IDF said the site in the Bekaa Valley “served the organization's terrorists for producing weapons intended to harm the civilians of the State of Israel and IDF forces operating in southern Lebanon.”
“In addition, Hezbollah terror organization infrastructure in the Tyre area was struck, from which the organization's terrorists operated in order to plan and carry out terror attacks against IDF forces,” the IDF also said. “Prior to the strike, steps were taken to reduce harm to civilians, including advance warnings to the population, use of precision munitions, and aerial observations.”
{{#rendered}}Retired U.S. Navy Cmdr. Kirk Lippold said Friday that renewed American combat operations against Iran appear increasingly likely, arguing Tehran has shown no willingness to abandon its nuclear program through diplomacy.
Speaking on "America Reports," Lippold said it is now "a matter of not if, but when the United States is going to recommence combat operations."
"The president has given the Iranians every opportunity to come to the right answer through diplomatic channels," Lippold said. "Iran will not give up their nuclear program."
Lippold’s comments came shortly after Secretary of State Marco Rubio said negotiators had seen some progress in talks with Tehran but cautioned that "there’s more work to be done."
"The President would prefer to do a good deal," Rubio said during remarks at a NATO conference in Sweden.
Lippold, the former commanding officer of the USS Cole, suggested President Donald Trump is using ongoing negotiations to give the U.S. military time to "rearm, refuel, and be ready for combat operations."
He also argued the administration should avoid publicly declaring negotiations over in order to avoid giving Iran time to prepare.
The remarks came as Iranian state media reported that negotiators were not discussing Tehran’s nuclear program at the moment, while a Qatari team remained in Tehran to support talks with the United States.
Yesterday's Fox News Digital live blog offers additional coverage of the Iran conflict.
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