Qatar warned on Tuesday that "the entire world will bear the cost of the Iran war" and called for an immediate end to the clashes through negotiation. Ibrahim bin Sultan Ibrahim Al Hashimi, director of the media and communications department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said at a press conference in Doha: "I can confirm that negotiations are ongoing."
Continued Efforts for Negotiation
Al Hashimi continued: "Calls and visits aimed at advancing negotiations between Washington and Tehran are ongoing. Qatar is ready to receive the Iranian side to learn about the latest developments regarding Iran's position." Last week, Majid Al Ansari, spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, described the pressure on the global economy as "unbearable" and warned that this disruption has extended beyond oil and gas to the supply of raw materials including fertilizers, helium, and aluminum. He said Doha is working to restore freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz as part of efforts to reach an agreement between Washington and Tehran.
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Impact of War on Shipping
This war, which began with joint attacks by the United States and Israel on Iran in late February, has severely disrupted shipping through this strait—a vital route for Gulf exports—after Iran and the U.S. imposed their maritime blockades. Al Hashimi also supported the defense pact in Mecca between Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan, adding that it is too early to discuss Qatar joining this military pact.
His remarks came after an emergency meeting in Riyadh on Monday, where the three countries agreed to activate their collective defense commitments and quickly deploy agreed military forces and capabilities to Saudi Arabia. This pact was established based on an agreement signed on August 7. Al Hashimi condemned what he called the irresponsible targeting of Saudi Arabia, Islamic holy sites, and civilian facilities, stating that Doha supports Saudi Arabia's actions to maintain sovereignty and security.
Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the Emir of Qatar, met on Tuesday in Doha with Iskander Momeni, Iran's Minister of Interior, and Qatar News Agency reported that the meeting focused on regional developments and efforts to reduce tensions. Momeni also met with his Qatari counterpart, and media reported that discussions centered on the fate of three Iranian military pilots whom Tehran claims have been detained in Doha since the war.
Iran has claimed that the three pilots were detained after their military aircraft was shot down in Qatari airspace in March. Doha denies holding them and states that search teams have found the remains of one pilot.
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