Iran-US war deal remains elusive despite renewed diplomacy

Iran and the United States remain far from a deal to end their war, a senior Iranian official said Tuesday, despite intensified diplomatic efforts following US strikes on Iran's Qeshm island and Iran's downing of a US drone. Mediators, including Qatari officials, are working to narrow gaps, but Tehran insists its conditions must be met for the Strait of Hormuz to reopen, with nuclear talks to follow only afterward. Iran's parliament speaker said Tehran gave a "strong and rational response" and warned of an unpredictable response to US miscalculation. Regional diplomacy continues, with Iran holding talks with Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan to establish new security arrangements. Houthi attacks on Saudi targets have escalated, drawing Saudi strikes on Yemen, which has been in civil war since 2014.