At the presidential palace in Baabda, Lebanon, Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al‑Thani spoke on October 16, 2026, saying that Qatar’s mediation between the United States and Iran was helping stop the region’s tensions from worsening. The statement came as reports surfaced of Iranian missiles striking Qeshm Island and as U.S. officials awaited the outcome of the September 2025 midterm elections before deciding any new actions.
The Prime Minister said that Washington remains willing to find a resolution, noting that a “significant amount of progress” has been made toward a settlement. He added that the Mediation work is “preventing the situation from spiraling out of control.”
“We cannot wait to reach a perfect agreement; we hope to reach a good agreement,” Al‑Thani said.
“We cannot wait to reach a perfect agreement; we hope to reach a good agreement,”
Amid the growing flare‑up, Iran’s semi‑official Tasnim news agency confirmed that two missiles had struck Qeshm Island, although it said no official information on damage had been released. The United States has not yet announced any attacks inside Iran, but polls indicate that many in the region fear Mr. Trump may resume strikes once the voting ends.
Iran has warned that it would respond to new attacks by striking U.S. and Israeli targets in neighboring countries. It has been pushing a seven‑day plan since September that calls for Washington to lift a blockade of Iranian ports, unfreeze assets, and approve an Iranian‑backed route through the Strait of Hormuz. The plan has so far been rejected by Trump.
Further confidence in Qatar’s mediation came from the country’s own Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, who jointly stated that the Mediation team “continues to prevent the situation from spiralling out of control.” Their comments were reported by Khaleej Times and Al‑Jazeera on the same day as the Baabda speech.
While the United States signals a willingness to negotiate, Iran remains prepared to use force should the situation deteriorate. Despite these differences, the continued diplomatic engagement led by Qatar has averted a broader regional conflict. It remains a key factor in the broader international effort to keep the Middle East stable amid changing political dynamics and military tensions.
