DOHA Aug 20, 2026 — Qatar’s Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani said Thursday that his country’s current diplomatic efforts are focused on mediating between the United States and Iran.
Speaking at a joint press conference in Egypt alongside Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty, Al Thani emphasized the need to end what he described as “blackmailing” through the Strait of Hormuz. “The consequences of this war were grave, not only on the Gulf region but elsewhere in the world, we need the situation to go back to what it used to be before,” he stated.
The Qatari minister also criticized Europe’s approach, saying it “has no interest” in reducing regional tensions, and warned that the fallout would affect everyone. He called on the United States and Europe to pressure Israel to fulfill its obligations under existing ceasefire arrangements.
The remarks come as Qatar continues to play a central role in efforts to de-escalate the conflict that erupted between the US and Iran earlier in 2026. A June memorandum of understanding aimed at establishing a ceasefire, addressing sanctions, and reopening the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz—through which a significant portion of global oil and LNG shipments pass—has faced repeated setbacks over implementation and navigation issues.
Qatar, which hosts the major US Al Udeid Air Base while maintaining pragmatic ties with Tehran, has repeatedly positioned itself as a key intermediary alongside partners such as Pakistan and Oman. Recent statements from Qatari officials have stressed that progress on an Iran-Oman understanding regarding the Strait of Hormuz could help restart broader US-Iran talks.
No immediate responses from Washington or Tehran were available at the time of the announcement. Mediators have previously facilitated indirect channels, including technical discussions and hotlines intended to prevent further incidents, but a durable settlement remains elusive.
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