US-Iran Tensions Escalate as Qatar Pushes for Deal Amid Reports of New US Strikes

Qatari mediators returned to Tehran on Friday in an effort to broker a deal between Iran and the United States, Reuters reported, citing a source familiar with the negotiations. According to the source, Qatar's representatives are coordinating their efforts with the White House. A Qatari delegation had visited Iran five days earlier and presented a proposal aimed at preventing war, but Iranian officials rejected it.

The United States has not commented on the report. However, President Donald Trump said overnight that "our military operations in Iran are going very well. We will be finished with Iran very soon." Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia announced that it had contacted the White House, urging Washington to do everything possible to prevent a war.

US Military Weighs Further Strikes on Iran

The Wall Street Journal reported that Admiral Brad Cooper, commander of US Central Command, presented Trump with military options for renewed strikes against Iran during a meeting at the White House yesterday. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Dan Caine also attended the meeting.

Several American media outlets reported that the United States is planning to launch an offensive against Iran immediately after next week's elections. Amid concerns over a possible escalation, Australia and Germany are reportedly preparing to evacuate diplomatic personnel from Israel during the day.

The reports also indicated that the US military has transferred additional Patriot air defense systems from Texas to Israel as part of preparations for a possible resumption of strikes against Iran. At least 10 American aerial refueling aircraft have reportedly landed in Israel in recent days.

Cyberattacks and Military Activity in the Strait of Hormuz

Iranian media outlets reported widespread cyberattacks overnight targeting government infrastructure, including Iran's telecommunications company, Tehran's electricity provider, and the country's banking network.

Meanwhile, Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps announced that it had struck a vessel with a missile in the Strait of Hormuz, near the coast of Oman. Iranian sources also reported that American forces had carried out overnight strikes against sites on Qeshm Island, off Iran's southern coast.