Doha:Advisor to the Prime Minister and Official Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Majed bin Mohammed Al Ansari, has confirmed that Qatar is actively working to bridge the gap between the United States and Iran. The efforts are focused on facilitating the exchange of proposals between the two nations.
According to Qatar News Agency, both the US and Iran have shown a commitment to the negotiation process and are reviewing the proposals, despite the ongoing escalation in the region. The Qatari delegation's visit to Tehran included a three-hour meeting with Iranian counterparts, where they discussed various proposals aimed at resolving differences. The delegation returned to Doha after the meeting.
Dr. Al Ansari highlighted that communication between the parties is ongoing, with mediators continuing to exchange proposals in real-time. He believes that the commitment to negotiations and the examination of proposals offers hope for reaching an agreement. However, he noted that while communication between the parties has developed, there is no specific breakthrough to report at this time.
The spokesperson emphasized that Qatar's mediation efforts are in full coordination with regional partners, particularly the GCC member states, to prevent regional escalation and work toward de-escalation. He stated that any escalation would not benefit any party and reaffirmed Qatar's commitment to diplomatic resolutions.
Regarding the targeting of the Qatari gas carrier "Al Mayeda," Dr. Al Ansari condemned the act and stressed the importance of maintaining freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz and the Arabian Gulf. He warned that any escalation, whether through military attacks or targeting vessels, poses a threat to the region and impacts ongoing negotiations.
Dr. Al Ansari also discussed regional coordination, noting a high level of cooperation among countries in the region. These efforts aim to support mediation initiatives and resolve the crisis through diplomatic means, with ongoing daily coordination among regional leaders.
On the situation in Yemen, the spokesperson reiterated Qatar's support for the legitimate Yemeni government and condemned Houthi attacks against Saudi Arabia. He affirmed Qatar's commitment to agreements reached under the GCC umbrella.
In a separate context, Dr. Al Ansari addressed Israeli allegations of Qatar's interference in Israeli elections, describing them as "absurd and baseless." He urged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to focus on his internal challenges and asserted that such allegations would not deter Qatar from its mediation roles.
