Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani and US President Donald Trump discussed efforts towards de-escalating tensions and stabilizing the region in a telephone conversation, the Emiri Diwan newspaper reported on Wednesday, as Washington and Tehran seek a diplomatic solution to Iran’s nuclear program.
According to Qatari state news agency QNA, the two leaders stressed the importance of continued coordination and consultation on issues of mutual interest, as well as support for diplomatic efforts aimed at resolving the crisis through dialogue and peaceful means.
The call comes ahead of President Trump’s meeting with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in which the Israeli prime minister is expected to press Trump to expand U.S.-Iran talks to include curbing Iran’s missile arsenal and other security threats beyond its nuclear program.
Qatar is making diplomatic efforts with regional allies to ease tensions between Washington and Tehran, averting the threat of military conflict between the longtime adversaries.
Ali Larijani, an adviser to Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, arrived in Qatar on Wednesday and was scheduled to meet with Sheikh Tamim as the United States and Tehran prepare to resume negotiations.
The two countries held indirect talks in Oman last week, and an Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson said the talks allowed Tehran to gauge the U.S.’s seriousness and that there was sufficient agreement for continued diplomacy.
Along with the United States and Egypt, Doha also mediates between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza war.
