Iran has strongly rejected President Donald Trump's statement that the war with the United States and Israel is effectively over.
After meetings with Qatari officials in Washington, Trump said Iran's military capability had been reduced and that the conflict was "effectively over". He noted that restrictions on shipping and other measures would continue for the time being, as preferred by Qatar, Saudi Arabia and other regional partners.
Iranian officials described the remarks as false. Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council Mohsen Rezaee wrote on social media that the US government has been defeated in the war it started against Iran and is now acting like a desperate gambler. He called for an end to the spread of false news about imaginary consultations.
The conflict, which began on 28 February, has disrupted international trade. Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz and launched missile and drone attacks on Gulf states including Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait and the UAE.
Iran has set four conditions for ending the war, including the lifting of naval restrictions, compensation for losses, an end to economic sanctions, and a halt to hostilities in Lebanon and Gaza.
Qatar continues to play a mediating role between the two sides.
