Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani of Qatar highlighted the urgent need for a US-Iran agreement, rejecting military options. His comments follow Trump’s remarks on pursuing peace with Iran. Al-Thani emphasized Qatar’s efforts in Gaza ceasefire negotiations amid significant attacks, showcasing collaborative international efforts for peace in the region.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani, the Prime Minister of Qatar, has underscored the critical need for an agreement between the United States and Iran. He explicitly stated, “There is no way that Qatar would support any kind of military step in that region. We will not give up until we see a diplomatic solution between the US and Iran. This needs to reach an agreement,” as reported by Al Jazeera.
His comments followed US President Donald Trump’s indication of pursuing a potential “peace agreement” with Iran. During a televised discussion with journalist Tucker Carlson, Al-Thani conveyed that nations in the Middle East are apprehensive about possible military actions against Iranian nuclear sites. He articulated the importance of cultivating a positive relationship with Iran, as it is Qatar’s immediate neighbor, indicating that enhanced relations serve the broader regional interests.
Al-Thani observed significant advancements in relations between the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries and Iran in recent years, despite ongoing disagreements regarding Tehran’s foreign policies. He mentioned that these differences have not adversely impacted bilateral relations between the Gulf states and Iran.
On the matter of US-Iran negotiations, Trump remarked that “interesting days” await as he deliberates on either negotiating a new nuclear deal or considering alternative actions, possibly military in nature. Conversely, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Aragchi has stated that Iran will refrain from engaging in direct negotiations with the US as long as the strategy of maximum pressure continues.
Regarding Qatar’s involvement in Gaza ceasefire discussions, Al-Thani conveyed that the Qatari Emir has always stressed the value of saving lives. He detailed the numerous attacks faced by Qatar during the conflict, describing them as unprecedented. Notably, he remarked, “We worked tirelessly for achieving this deal… the moment we went out to announce that a deal has been achieved, we saw celebrations in the streets, both in Gaza and in Israel.”
The Prime Minister clarified that the ceasefire agreement was the product of collaborative efforts, stating, “as one team.” Highlighting the contributions of US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff, he deemed their partnership essential to the successful conclusion of the deal. This ceasefire and prisoner exchange agreement, established on January 19, has temporarily halted the ongoing hostilities in Gaza, during which more than 48,400 Palestinians, primarily women and children, tragically lost their lives.
In recent developments, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, concerning allegations of war crimes in Gaza. Furthermore, Israel is currently confronting a genocide case at the International Court of Justice related to its military actions in the region.
In conclusion, Qatar’s Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani has stressed the urgent need for a diplomatic resolution between the US and Iran, opposing any military initiatives. His remarks highlight the intricacies of regional dynamics and the imperative for collaboration in achieving peace, particularly illustrated by Qatar’s role in the Gaza ceasefire negotiations. This emphasizes Israel’s ongoing international scrutiny regarding its actions in Gaza, reinforcing the critical nature of dialogue and cooperation in addressing complex geopolitical issues.
Original Source: news.az