In brief
Qatar’s foreign ministry said the United States and Iran are reviewing proposals to end their conflict, but gaps remain. A Qatari delegation had extended talks in Tehran and officials stress confidence‑building measures amid a maritime incident. No concrete progress has yet been announced, though both sides show a willingness to pursue diplomacy.
In Doha, Qatar’s foreign ministry said on Tuesday that the United States and Iran are reviewing proposals to end their conflict, but differences between the two sides remain unresolved.
At the ministry’s weekly press briefing, spokesman Majed Al Ansari reported that both parties are studying mediation ideas presented by external mediators, noting that “bridging the gap is still a work in progress.”
Al Ansari said a Qatari delegation had returned from Tehran on Monday evening after more than three hours of talks with Iranian officials—a session longer than the scheduled one hour. The delegation exchanged views and proposals intended to narrow the differences between Washington and Tehran.
Bridging the gap is still a work in progress.
Al Ansari warned that the continued engagement should not be taken for granted as a breakthrough, saying no concrete progress could yet be announced, though both sides had shown a willingness to pursue diplomacy. He added that Qatar was relaying proposals between the parties in close coordination with Pakistan, Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries and other regional and international partners.
Qatar has stressed that confidence‑building measures should form part of a phased diplomatic process. Both sides would need to demonstrate their commitment by implementing agreed actions, the spokesperson said.
In parallel, the Qatari government condemned the recent attack on the liquefied natural gas (LNG) carrier Al Mayeda in the Arabian Gulf. Al Ansari reiterated Qatar’s opposition to any threats to freedom of maritime navigation and urged the GCC to coordinate diplomatic efforts to prevent further escalation.
He cautioned that renewed hostilities would serve no party’s interests and called for restraint from all parties. The incident added an urgency to the diplomatic talks, underscoring the need for immediate confidence‑building steps.
While the U.S. and Iran have continued to engage through Qatar as an intermediary, both sides have stalled on specific agreements. A joint statement from the Qatari delegation emphasized that the talks were ongoing, with an emphasis on building trust gradually rather than expecting quick fixes.
Al Ansari expressed hope that sustained engagement would eventually lead to an agreement capable of ending the current crisis and establishing the conditions for lasting regional peace. However, he noted that no concrete progress could yet be announced, and the situation remains fluid.
