Doha, 1 October, 2026 (Kamran Raja): Qatar has expressed hope that its efforts to exchange messages between Iran and the United States could help break the deadlock over the nuclear issue and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. Qatari Foreign Ministry spokesperson Majed al-Ansari said Doha was working to establish common ground and reach an agreement that could prevent further consequences of the eight-month-long conflict. US and Iranian officials separately held discussions with Qatari mediators, while negotiations have so far failed to produce an agreement on reopening the strategic waterway. US President Donald Trump rejected reports that Washington had offered Iran sanctions relief and access to frozen funds in exchange for concessions on its nuclear programme, stating that he had offered Tehran nothing. Trump reiterated that Iran must not obtain a nuclear weapon, while Iran maintains that its nuclear programme is intended for peaceful purposes and says it is prepared for negotiations without coercion. Iran had proposed a plan at the United Nations General Assembly that included a seven-day countdown toward reopening the Strait of Hormuz and a pause in fighting, but Trump rejected the proposal. The conflict has caused thousands of deaths, disrupted global energy supplies and contributed to higher oil prices. Meanwhile, the United States has offered energy companies access to up to 40 million barrels of oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve and imposed sanctions on 10 individuals and entities accused of assisting Iran in procuring weapons and related components.