Qatar seeks short-term Iran-US deal to revive negotiations

21/09/2026

Qatar seeks short-term Iran-US deal to revive negotiations

NEW YORK, Sep 21: Qatar is working to facilitate a short-term agreement between Iran and the United States that could reopen the way for direct negotiations, Qatari Foreign Ministry spokesperson Majed Al-Ansari said Monday.

Speaking at the Concordia Annual Summit in New York, Al-Ansari said any initial understanding would not constitute a final settlement but could create the conditions needed to restart diplomatic talks between Tehran and Washington.

He said the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and guarantees that neither side would resort to military force were necessary conditions for renewed dialogue.

Al-Ansari said mistrust between Iran and the United States remained high, with both sides waiting for the other to make concessions.

Qatar believes a sustainable diplomatic solution is needed to provide security guarantees for all countries in the region, he said, stressing that the Strait of Hormuz must remain open and operational in accordance with international law.

Qatar and Pakistan have previously played mediation roles in efforts to bridge differences between Tehran and Washington. Those efforts produced an initial understanding in June that was intended to pave the way for negotiations, but its implementation subsequently broke down and fighting resumed.