The United States is warning that the Gulf crisis between Qatar and its neighbors is at an impasse and may not be quickly resolved.

State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert says the U.S. believes the crisis could potentially drag on for weeks or even months. She says it could "possibly even intensify."

Nauert isn't specifying what type of escalation the U.S. fears. But she says Secretary of State Rex Tillerson remains in close contact with the countries involved. The U.S. is praising Kuwait for trying to mediate a resolution.

Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates and Egypt cut diplomatic ties to Qatar a month ago while accusing it of funding terrorism and spreading unrest. Qatar has refused to comply in whole with a list of demands from its neighbors.