Doha, Sept. 30 (SANA) Qatar is continuing mediation efforts between the United States and Iran to bridge differences and establish common ground, while reaffirming its support for a peaceful solution and Pakistan’s mediation efforts, the Qatari Foreign Ministry said.
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Majed al-Ansari said during the ministry’s weekly media briefing Tuesday that recent days had seen meetings and exchanges of messages between the parties, including contacts in New York during the 81st session of the UN General Assembly.
Al-Ansari said efforts to arrange meetings and facilitate exchanges of messages were continuing as mediators sought to overcome obstacles and narrow differences between the parties.
He reaffirmed Qatar’s support for a peaceful resolution and for Pakistan’s mediation role. Qatar has been working with Pakistan to de-escalate tensions between Iran and the United States and safeguard freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, according to the Qatari Foreign Ministry.
Regional security and Strait of Hormuz
Al-Ansari reiterated Qatar’s condemnation of attacks by any party on infrastructure in the region, including energy facilities and vessels, saying such attacks harmed the interests of the region’s people.
He stressed the need to respect infrastructure and facilities in accordance with international law and principles of good-neighborly relations.
Al-Ansari called for a regional security framework based on coexistence, nonaggression and good-neighborly relations, saying regional countries should be protected from being targeted in any future escalation.
He said current diplomatic efforts were focused on bridging differences and reaching a peaceful solution that would allow countries in the region to resume freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz while addressing their security concerns.
Qatar continues Gaza diplomacy
On Gaza, al-Ansari said Qatar remained directly engaged in diplomatic efforts concerning the ceasefire and a political solution.
He warned that the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip was deteriorating and raised concerns over developments in the West Bank and East Jerusalem.
Qatar would continue working with regional and international partners to achieve progress toward a political solution, he said.
Escalation poses risks to global economy
Al-Ansari warned that continued regional escalation could have serious repercussions for the global economy because of the region’s role in energy supplies, food security, petrochemical industries, aluminum production and investment.
Countries in the region supply the world with energy products and other goods important to global markets, making the economic consequences of instability extend well beyond the Middle East, he said.
Qatar has repeatedly emphasized dialogue as the preferred means of resolving the US-Iran crisis. Earlier this month, al-Ansari said Doha’s diplomatic efforts were focused on peaceful solutions, de-escalation and conditions for renewed negotiations.
R.D/RK
