Qatar PM visits Iran to revive stalled peace efforts
Doha seeks to reduce tensions between Washington and Tehran as disputes over Strait of Hormuz continue blocking diplomacy
TEHRAN, Iran (MNTV) — Qatar’s Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani visited Tehran to pursue diplomatic efforts aimed at reducing tensions between Iran and the United States as negotiations remain stalled.
Al Thani, who also serves as Qatar’s foreign minister, met his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi to discuss regional developments, de-escalation efforts and ways to create conditions for renewed dialogue, according to Qatar’s Foreign Ministry and Reuters.
Qatar has emerged as an important intermediary between Tehran and Washington, despite being a US ally and a neighboring Gulf state. Doha previously helped facilitate a June ceasefire that temporarily halted hostilities between the two sides.
The latest diplomatic effort comes as direct fighting has largely paused but disagreements continue over the future of the conflict and control of the Strait of Hormuz, a vital maritime route through which a significant share of global oil supplies traditionally passes.
Qatar and Iran discussed a proposed phased arrangement involving a temporary joint Iranian-Omani shipping corridor through the strait and cooperation to clear mines from the waterway.
The discussions come amid conflicting statements about negotiations between Iran and Oman. Iran’s Revolutionary Guard said the two sides had reached an understanding concerning control of the waterway and its revenues, while a senior Iranian official said negotiations over the details remained unresolved.
Iran has continued to use control of the Strait of Hormuz as leverage following the outbreak of the conflict. Oil shipments through the waterway have fallen sharply, with ship-tracking data showing about 5 million barrels per day crossing it on Monday, compared with roughly 20 million barrels per day before the war.
Washington has also intensified economic pressure on Tehran by announcing additional sanctions intended to restrict Iran’s international trade. Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf described the measures as an “all-out economic war” and called for national unity.
Iranian officials have argued that decades of US sanctions have failed to achieve their intended objectives while condemning the latest measures as hostile.
The security situation around Hormuz remains tense. The International Maritime Organization has recorded 70 incidents in the strait since Feb. 28, resulting in the deaths of 19 seafarers.
A projectile struck a tanker in the waterway on Tuesday, causing a fire that was later extinguished. The vessel’s crew remained safe, according to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations agency.
Iran has maintained missile and drone capabilities despite heavy attacks during the conflict and has used its strategic position around Hormuz to pressure the United States and its regional partners.
Tehran has demanded an end to the US blockade of Iranian ports, compensation and the removal of sanctions as conditions for a lasting agreement. Iranian officials have also indicated that navigation restrictions could remain in place until those demands are addressed.
Qatar’s latest mediation effort reflects Doha’s continued attempt to keep diplomatic channels open between Washington and Tehran and prevent the conflict from escalating further across the Gulf.
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