Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Qatar, in his speech at the Oxford Union, emphasized Doha's commitment to mediating between the United States and Iran, stating that efforts to reach a diplomatic agreement must continue despite existing challenges.
Emphasis on Diplomacy and Mediation
In this speech titled "Prosperity in a Broken World: Small Countries and the New Geography of Global Influence," Sheikh Mohammed stated that Qatar remains engaged with both parties and there is a willingness to find a solution to ongoing conflicts. He added, "But I believe that right now, and from our engagement with the U.S. government at present, and even after the elections, the intentions still exist." He emphasized that waiting for an ideal agreement should not prevent reaching an agreement that can reduce tensions.
Qatar's Role in Negotiations
The Prime Minister of Qatar noted that Qatari officials traveled to Tehran five times in one week and held lengthy discussions with their Iranian counterparts to prevent a new round of hostilities. Some of these sessions lasted between 18 to 20 hours. Qatar played a key role in the first round of negotiations that led to the initial agreement (MOU) and helped prevent regional tensions.
Sheikh Mohammed also acknowledged that the risks of renewed conflicts have not disappeared and the region has not yet reached a point of security, but Qatar remains determined to maintain diplomatic channels. In response to the question of whether a Democratic victory in the U.S. midterm elections could impact negotiations, he stated that the results may influence future American policies, but the government's willingness to pursue a diplomatic solution has not changed.
He pointed to the importance of preventing hardline positions that could hinder diplomacy, stating that the initial agreement (MOU) demonstrated that even in difficult negotiation conditions, progress is possible.
Sheikh Mohammed also noted that any sustainable security agreement in the region must address the concerns of both Iran and Gulf countries and should not favor one side over the other. He called for dialogue between the Gulf Cooperation Council countries and Iran to create a security framework based on mutual guarantees, including commitments against aggressive actions and threats of force.
