Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani on Thursday (local time) pointed to a “high probability” of a diplomatic solution between the US and Iran despite escalating tensions.
In an interview with Al-Araby, Al-Jadeed Sheikh Mohammed highlighted the “positive progress” between Washington and Tehran, stressing that any agreement must protect the interests of the Gulf countries and the wider international community.
Read also | US Iran War LIVE: Marco Rubio says the US should get Iran’s response today
His remarks came a day before he arrived in Washington, DC on Friday (local time) for a meeting with US Vice President JD Vance to discuss several issues, including the US-Iran war.
Qatari PM highlights positive progress between US and Iran
In an interview with Al-Araby Al-Jadeed, the Qatari prime minister said: “We are monitoring developments and communicating with all parties, and despite the differences in positions in Tehran and Washington, we see a high possibility of reaching a diplomatic solution,” he said. “We are encouraged by the positive progress that is being made in the exchange of messages between Washington and Tehran, and there are signs of that.”
He added that Doha is in touch with Pakistani mediators to help bridge the gaps between the two sides.
Sheikh Mohammed also stressed that any agreement between the two sides should ensure regional security and address the economic impact of the ongoing crisis in the Strait of Hormuz, which has been effectively closed by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) since the start of the US-Israel war in late February.
Read also | The US military opened fire on two Iranian tankers violating the naval blockade
“Any US-Iran deal must take into account the interests of countries in the region and the world as a whole, which has been directly harmed by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz,” he said.
Reiterating Doha’s refusal to use the strategic waterway as leverage in any conflict, Qatar’s prime minister noted: “The whole world is paying the price for closing the Strait of Hormuz. We reject its use as a trump card in any conflict, whether political or military. Freedom of navigation is a firm principle of international law. It is non-negotiable.”
The US threatens renewed military strikes
The Qatari prime minister’s comments came after US President Donald Trump warned the Islamic Republic that it would face renewed and intensified bombing unless a deal was reached, amid reports that Washington and Tehran were closing in on a framework aimed at ending the conflict.
Iranian FM criticizes the US
Earlier on Friday, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi criticized Washington in a post on X, questioning why it opts for reckless military adventure every time a solution is put on the table. He wrote: “Every time a diplomatic solution is on the table, the US decides on a reckless military adventure. Is this a crude coercion tactic? Or the result of a spoiler that kicks the POTUS into another quagmire? Whatever the causes, the result is the same: Iranians never bow to pressure and diplomacy is always a casualty. The CIA is also wrong. Our missile capacity and launch 5% are not compared to the Feer78% inventory. the number is 120% in terms of our readiness to defend our people: 1,000%.
Peace talks between the US and Iran remain uncertain
Earlier on Friday, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who is on a two-day visit to Italy, said Washington expected to receive a response from Tehran on a draft deal to end the war “at some point today”.
In an interview with reporters, he said: “We are waiting for (Iran’s) response – we will see what that response entails,” adding that it is something that “can get us into a serious negotiation process.”
However, the only development on Friday was that Iran accepted the proposal. Iran’s Tasnim news agency, citing Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei, said the Islamic Republic was assessing Washington’s latest proposal. On Thursday night, he also commented on the military confrontation with Washington, accusing it of violating the ceasefire and international law. Baqaei noted that Tehran’s forces are closely monitoring the situation and are ready to respond to any “aggression and adventure”.
