Qatar confirms U.S.-Iran talks continue, as Iran’s Interior Minister meets Amir in Doha

Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has confirmed that talks between the U.S. and Iran are ongoing, with messages still being exchanged through Doha and its regional partners.Iran’s Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni met Qatar’s Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani at the Amiri Diwan on Tuesday, as Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) confirmed that mediation efforts between Iran and other parties remain ongoing.Momeni arrived in Doha late Monday, with further details of the visit to be shared by the Ministry of Interior. His meeting with the Amir covered regional developments and efforts to reduce escalation in ways that strengthen regional and international security and stability.Speaking at the MoFA’s weekly media briefing on Tuesday, Media and Communications Department Director Ibrahim bin Sultan Al Hashmi said communications and visits tied to the mediation effort “are continuing and have not stopped,” aimed at “reaching progress that can be built upon.”“I cannot speak about the technical matters. However, the talks are still ongoing. The exchange of messages is also continuing. Qatar is a mediator between them and the other partners,” he added.Al Hashmi said negotiations remained the preferred path forward given the scale of the dispute. “The scale of this problem requires us to put forward our best efforts directly through negotiable solutions at the negotiating table,” he said. “We must take into consideration the concerns of all parties.”On the Mecca Defence Alliance, a security pact between Saudi Arabia, Türkiye and Pakistan, Al Hashmi said Qatar backs regional initiatives aimed at strengthening security and stability.“We affirm that the State of Qatar supports any initiative taken by the countries of the region to preserve their security, sovereignty and territorial integrity, including the Mecca Alliance,” he said, adding that it “strengthens regional cooperation aimed at preserving resources and the stability of the countries of the region.”Asked whether Qatar itself could join the alliance, Al Hashmi said it was too early to discuss such a move. “We cannot speak on behalf of the other countries, nor can we speak about Qatar’s acceptance of this alliance,” he said.Al Hashmi also reaffirmed Qatar’s support for Saudi Arabia and condemned Houthi attacks on the kingdom.“We support our sisterly Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in all the measures it takes to preserve its security and territorial integrity,” he said.“At the same time, we condemn the irresponsible approach taken by the Houthi group in targeting the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Islamic holy sites and civilian objects.”