Middle East crisis live: Qatar says diplomatic efforts ‘ongoing’ as Iran insists it does not seek to expand war

The US treasury secretary, Scott Bessent, said Washington could reach a deal with Iran by tomorrow to reopen the strait of Hormuz.

“We are in talks with the Iranians, and I think there is a chance we may have a deal today or tomorrow to open the strait and move towards a more normalised position in this conflict,” Bessent said in an interview with CNBC.

“It would be freedom of movement,” he added when asked if Iran could charge shipping tolls.

There was no immediate comment from Iran, which had earlier denied that negotiations with the US were taking place.