Washington and Tehran Signal Openness to Talks as Tensions Persist

US President Donald Trump said American officials have spoken with mediators and predicted a near victory in the war with Iran, while Tehran denied any scheduled direct negotiations. This comes amid Qatari efforts to revive talks between Washington and Tehran. Trump told reporters in the Oval Office that gasoline prices would drop sharply after the war ends in America's favor. A source told Reuters that Qatari mediators expect separate talks with Iranian and American officials in New York, focusing on a modified seven-day proposal Iran presented at the UN. Tensions persist over the Strait of Hormuz, with Iran's supreme leader saying US forces will eventually leave the Arabian Sea. Meanwhile, the Houthis accused Saudi Arabia of striking a market in Yemen, and Israel conducted a large demolition in southern Lebanon.