Qatar and other regional powers pushed for a diplomatic exit from the war with Iran on Thursday.

Qatar’s prime minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, met Iranian officials in Tehran.

He discussed efforts to reduce escalation.

He also talked about a proposed plan with Oman to clear mines from the Strait of Hormuz.

He stressed the need to respect the sovereignty of neighboring countries.

He also stressed the need for freedom of navigation.

Pakistan said it was also continuing diplomatic efforts.

The country’s foreign ministry said a senior military official recently visited Tehran.

The visit was to revive a June agreement on reopening the strait.

Meanwhile, the British military reported that an oil tanker was hit by an unknown projectile in the Strait of Hormuz on Tuesday.

The crew was safe, and there were no reports of environmental damage.

Iran dismissed the latest U.S. sanctions.

Its foreign ministry spokesman criticized a U.S. coalition with Bahrain.

A top negotiator thanked China for rejecting U.S. policies against Iran.

Tehran had earlier warned it would respond harshly to expanded sanctions.

In Gaza, three people died in Israeli strikes on Thursday, according to local health officials.

Israel’s military said two strikes targeted a Hamas militant.

The U.S. envoy overseeing the ceasefire, Nickolay Mladenov, admonished Israel over its continued attacks.

Israel’s deputy U.N. ambassador said Hamas’s disarmament must come first.

Separately, Israel removed two Dutch diplomats from a Gaza ceasefire coordination center.

The Netherlands called this move unnecessary.