TEHRAN – Qatari mediators returned to Tehran on Friday in a renewed diplomatic effort to broker an agreement between the United States and Iran, as Washington considers its next steps in the conflict and military activity intensifies across the Middle East.
The latest diplomatic initiative is being coordinated with Washington, with Qatar seeking to revive negotiations aimed at ending hostilities between the two countries, Al Jazeera reported.
The renewed effort comes amid reports that US Vice President JD Vance had sent a message to Iranian security official Mohsen Rezaei in an attempt to restart stalled negotiations. Tehran received the communication but had not responded by Thursday, according to Iranian media reports citing a senior official.
Meanwhile, Vance sought to dismiss concerns that the United States could become embroiled in another prolonged military conflict.
Speaking to Fox News on Thursday, he said President Donald Trump would achieve Washington’s objectives in Iran and would not allow the conflict to turn into an endless war.
Vance distinguished between opposing unsuccessful foreign military interventions and ruling out the use of American military force altogether, maintaining that the administration would complete its objectives before shifting attention to other priorities.
US military deployments raise concerns over possible Iran strikes
Military preparations have also reportedly intensified, with 10 US military transport aircraft arriving at Israeli air bases in the southern Negev region.
Israeli public broadcaster KAN reported that the aircraft landed at Ovda and Nevatim air bases, while additional American military planes were sent to installations in Jordan, Saudi Arabia and Qatar.
The aircraft reportedly departed from Fort Bliss in Texas, which houses major US air defence facilities.
There was no immediate confirmation from Washington about the reported deployments, their cargo or whether a decision had been made to launch another military operation against Iran.
An Israeli official told KAN that Washington and Tel Aviv were coordinating their military preparations and remained ready to respond to any decision by Trump.
Earlier reports also suggested that Washington had alerted Gulf countries to the possibility of a limited military campaign against Iran.
The United States has reportedly moved a Patriot missile defence system from Texas to strengthen regional air defences. American personnel stationed at military bases across the region have also reportedly been instructed to leave as a precaution against possible escalation.
Further military reinforcements, including an additional aircraft carrier and a Marine Corps unit, are expected to reach the region in November, potentially joining around 20 US warships already operating in the Middle East.
Vessel catches fire in Strait of Hormuz
Meanwhile, a security incident involving a commercial vessel was reported in the strategically important Strait of Hormuz.
The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said it received a report of a vessel on fire approximately 25 nautical miles northeast of Khasab, Oman.
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In a subsequent update, the agency said the crew were safe and there had been no reported environmental damage.
According to the UKMTO account, a small boat approached the tanker from its port side and attached two explosive devices to the hull above the waterline. The explosions triggered a fire in the engine room and temporarily disabled the vessel.
The fire was subsequently extinguished, allowing the tanker to resume its journey towards its next port of call.
The maritime agency advised commercial vessels to exercise caution while passing through the waterway and report suspicious activities as investigations continued.
Iran claims interception of hostile fighter jet
Separately, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Aerospace Force reportedly intercepted an unidentified hostile fighter jet near Qeshm Island in the Strait of Hormuz and forced it to leave the area.
Iranian news agencies Tasnim and Mehr reported the development, citing sources, but did not identify the aircraft’s origin or model. No formal announcement confirming the incident was immediately issued.
Iranian media also reported several explosions near the strategic waterway, including in waters around Sirik and Qeshm Island.
According to reports citing local sources, residents of Qeshm heard explosions and witnessed flashes of light in the sky, prompting speculation about the activation of air defence systems.
Preliminary accounts suggested that some of the sounds could have been caused by warning shots fired at vessels allegedly operating without authorisation in the Strait of Hormuz.
The reported incidents had not received immediate official confirmation.
US military chief briefs Trump on Iran options
Amid the developments, the head of the US Central Command (CENTCOM), Admiral Brad Cooper, briefed Trump on possible military options involving Iran during a meeting at the White House on Thursday.
The discussions reportedly focused on potential courses of action as the administration weighs whether to resume large-scale military operations.
Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Dan Caine and other senior administration officials also attended the meeting.
The briefing followed a separate White House meeting on Wednesday involving senior military officials and Vice President Vance, as Washington continued assessing its diplomatic and military options concerning Tehran.
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