Qatar said on Tuesday it remained hopeful that an interim deal could be reached between the United States and Iran as both sides review proposals put forward by mediators including Doha. In recent days, diplomatic efforts have been underway to prevent renewed fighting after the United States threatened major new strikes -- though US President Donald Trump signaled diplomatic progress with Iran. Early on Tuesday, US media reported that Washington had launched limited strikes on an Iranian island in the Strait of Hormuz as Iranian media reported five explosions in quick succession. "Both parties remain committed to the negotiation process; as we mentioned, we are facilitating the real-time exchange of proposals between them," foreign ministry spokesman Majed Al Ansari told reporters. Both sides "are currently reviewing the ideas and proposals we have presented," he added. "We remain hopeful that there is still a chance for a deal to take place," he said, adding Doha was working "towards an interim deal". On Monday, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said that "very intensive" talks were underway with the United States via mediators. That same day Qatari negotiators returned to Doha after a meeting in Tehran that lasted more than three hours, Al Ansari said. He warned that any escalation could complicate the talks. The US and Israel increased their threats towards Iran in the run-up to the midterms and last week's general elections in Israel, where Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu failed to secure a majority.
