IRAN and Qatar were locked in talks today over a possible “joint project” to clear mines from the Strait of Hormuz.

A statement from the Qatari Foreign Ministry said the two countries discussed the possible project alongside measures “to reduce escalation and create appropriate conditions for dialogue.”

The visit to Tehran by Qatar’s Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani comes as regional powers continue to seek an end to the illegal and unprovoked attack launched by the United States and Israel on February 28.

The discussions, confirmed by Tehran, addressed “freedom of navigation” in the Strait of Hormuz and the need to return to the pre-war status quo, according to the Qatari Foreign Ministry.

But US President Donald Trump told the Al Jazeera news network by phone on Wednesday that he has “no time schedule” to wrap up the conflict that reached the six-month mark today.

Mr Trump told the Qatar-based broadcaster that he believes the US is “winning very big.”

Access through the Strait of Hormuz continues to be a key flashpoint.

The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Organisation said yesterday that it had received a report of an oil tanker hit in the strait.

The monitoring agency, run by the British military, said that local authorities reported that the vessel was hit by an unknown projectile on Tuesday in the waters between Oman and Iran, causing it to catch fire.

The crew was reported to be safe and there have been no reports of environmental damage, the agency said.

The attack highlights the ongoing dangers for vessels attempting to transit the key waterway while it’s firmly under Iranian control, even as Oman and Iran are reportedly in the final stages of talks on a plan to manage shipping traffic through the strait.

Pakistan said on today that it was continuing diplomatic efforts to help resolve the crisis between the US and Iran, and reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Tahir Andrabi told a news briefing that Field Marshal Asim Munir’s recent visit to Tehran was aimed at reviving the June memorandum of understanding to reopen the strait.

Pakistani Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has also continued diplomatic outreach during Field Marshal Munir’s visit, speaking with Turkish, Egyptian and other regional counterparts, Mr Andrabi reported.

Meanwhile, Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian issued a plea for unity among Muslim nations.

Speaking at the 40th International Islamic Unity Conference in Tehran on Thursday, Mr Pezeshkian said: “No Muslim country’s territory should be used against another Muslim nation.”