The Spokesperson of Qatar’s Foreign Ministry, Majed al-Ansari, has stated that “a regional dialogue is needed as part of the negotiation that will take place” after the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between the U.S and Iran.
Speaking to reporters in Doha, he said that this was necessary in order to “reestablish trust” and “find a solution to the fact that threat perception has changed in the region after this war.”
“I can’t say that we are returning to business as usual in our region with our neighbours… There is a lot of need for dialogue and for agreement over how to guarantee the security of our region.”
Majed al-Ansari
He noted that some of the main points of contention now being discussed between the US and Iran include non-aggression pacts, non-state armed groups, and nuclear issues.
“We are on the right track now towards regional security. Obviously, there are a lot of challenges coming ahead, but let’s take this as a moment to enjoy some optimism. We are talking about various issues: the Strait of Hormuz, regional security and non-aggression, and good neighbourly relations between this region and Iran.
“We’re talking about, of course, the nuclear program but also other issues regarding proxies and missiles and other issues that have played prominent in the region for decades. These will not be resolved in mere days.”
Majed al-Ansari
Also, he stressed that Qatar will continue to engage in efforts to forward progress in the Iran-U.S negotiations. “We are supporting the Pakistani-led mediation working with in support of the efforts of our brothers in Pakistan,” he said. He hailed the role Pakistan has played “to get us to this point and the role it will play going forward as the main mediator.”
He added in the U.S-Iran talks, “in Qatar we don’t take lightly our responsibility towards regional security and, therefore, we engaged fully as supporters of the mediation.”
Trump Meets Qatar’s Emir On G7 Summit Sidelines
Meanwhile, U.S President Donald Trump hailed Qatar’s efforts, as well as the country’s “great bravery.” These remarks come as Trump held talks with Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani on the sidelines of the G7 summit.
The Gulf nations are not part of the G7, but the summit host, Emmanuel Macron extended invitations to the leaders to take part in the summit at a fraught moment for the region. G7 leaders also will convene a working lunch to discuss the situation in the Middle East, where the conversation is expected to focus on the path ahead after the ceasefire agreement between the U.S. and Iran.
“We are very, very impressed with Qatar and the way they handled things. Working with Qatar and the people of Qatar was really a pleasure. They were tough, they were strong. You know they are the closest to Iran physically.”
Donald Trump
Also, Trump said that he thinks Iran “has rational leadership now”, after U.S and Israeli attacks killed numerous Iranian officials early in the war. He said that the Iranian leaders who were “totally irrational” are “now gone.”
The Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, in turned thanked Trump for his leadership, hailing the ceasefire agreement between the U.S. and Iran.
The desert peninsula of Qatar was shaken by the three-month Iran war. Iranian strikes caused billions of dollars in damage to Qatar’s critical energy infrastructure. Experts estimate it will take three to five years to repair liquefied natural gas pipelines that were damaged by strikes.
Qatar’s leader said that m while Washington’s deal with Tehran is critical for regional security, it is also “very important” for Iran as well. Qatar has played a key role in mediation efforts since the US and Israel launched an unprovoked attack on Iran on February 28. “Whenever friends ask us to help, we’re always here to help,” Sheikh Tamim told the U.S President at a press briefing in Evian-Les-Bains, France, at the G7 summit.
Qatar’s Emir stated that the US-Iran agreement will result in positive outcomes throughout the Middle East.
“I want to thank you for your leadership in this very critical time in the Middle East. This is a very important deal, there’s still a lot of work to be done, but with this momentum – if we continue like that, Mr President – I think we can achieve and do great things in the region.”
Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani
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