HE Speaker of the House of Representatives of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, Mazen Qadi, met with HE Ambassador of the State of Qatar to the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, Sheikh Saud bin Nasser bin Jassim Al-Thani. During the meeting, they reviewed cooperation relations between the two countries and emphasized the deep-rooted fraternal and historical ties that bind Qatar and Jordan. HE Speaker of the Jordanian House of Representatives affirmed the House’s commitment to developing parliamentary relations with Qatar’s Shura Council, strengthening communication, consultation, and the exchange of expertise and positions on issues of common interest. For his part, HE Ambassador affirmed Qatar’s commitment to enhancing bilateral relations and developing parliamentary cooperation, expressing his appreciation for the role played by the House of Representatives in regional and international parliamentary forums. The meeting was attended by HE First Deputy Speaker of the Lower House of Representatives, Dr. Khamis Atieh, and HE Chair of the Jordanian-Qatari Parliamentary Brotherhood Committee, Abdulrauf Rbiehat.
HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani and HE Foreign Minister of the Islamic Republic of Iran Abbas Araghchi held a telephone call. They discussed the latest regional developments, particularly the ongoing talks between the Sultanate of Oman and the Islamic Republic of Iran on establishing a temporary joint shipping corridor through the Strait of Hormuz, and on a joint project to clear mines from the Strait.
HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs stressed during the call the State of Qatar’s full support for diplomatic efforts and all efforts trying to find a solution that guarantees the freedom of maritime navigation and paves the way for reaching a comprehensive agreement that achieves sustainable peace in the region.
Advisor to Prime Minister and Official Spokesperson for Ministry of Foreign Affairs: Qatar Continued Its Efforts to Encourage Return to Negotiations between US, Iran
Doha, August 25, 2026
Advisor to the Prime Minister and Official Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Dr. Majed bin Mohammed Al Ansari affirmed that the State of Qatar has continued its efforts and regional contacts with various parties over the past period to encourage a return to the path of negotiations between the United States of America and the Islamic Republic of Iran. During the weekly press briefing of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Al Ansari said that the State of Qatar had warned since the beginning of the crisis of the wide repercussions of any escalation, not only on the region, but also on the global economy, reiterating Qatar’s continued efforts to support diplomatic solutions and reduce tension. Regarding the American statements concerning economic sanctions on Iran, Al Ansari said that the State of Qatar and the countries of the region have warned from day one about the economic repercussions of war and escalation. He indicated that the priority for the State of Qatar is to restore normal navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, ensure global energy and food security, and maintain the safety of supply chains, which are goals that can only be achieved through a comprehensive diplomatic solution. He clarified that the sanctions being discussed do not directly affect the State of Qatar, noting that Doha adheres to the framework of international sanctions and interacts positively with the measures adopted in this context, while emphasizing that the sovereign decisions of countries remain linked to regional developments and to efforts made to find consensual solutions. He added that the sanctions in question were imposed by a specific party and are not UN sanctions, emphasizing that Qatar’s stance stems from supporting negotiations and diplomatic solutions, not siding with one party at the expense of another. He also stressed the importance of all parties engaging in dialogue to end the crisis. In response to statements by some Iranian officials regarding targeting countries in the region, Al Ansari affirmed Qatar’s categorical rejection of such statements, considering that attempts to drag countries in the region into existing conflicts will only lead to further escalation. He said that the State of Qatar, with all its institutions and armed forces, is fully prepared to defend its security and sovereignty against any aggression, regardless of its source or justifications, reiterating Doha’s rejection of any threat to the security and stability of the countries of the region. Regarding joint Gulf coordination, Al Ansari highlighted that communications and meetings between the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries have been ongoing since the beginning of the crisis, noting the visit made by HE Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani to Riyadh last week and his meeting with HH Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah Al-Saud. He affirmed the high level of coordination among the Gulf states to address any potential threats and monitor escalating developments. He noted that all GCC countries support reaching a peaceful resolution to the crisis. He explained that Qatar’s direct communication with Iran falls within the framework of mediation efforts and pushing for a resumption of negotiations. Regarding the Strait of Hormuz, Al Ansari stressed the need to restore freedom of navigation and maritime passage in accordance with international laws. He emphasized that the crisis requires a political and diplomatic solution that guarantees regional stability and preserves the common interests of all parties. In response to a question about the Financial Times report on the reduction of budgets of government agencies and the reduction of funding for Qatari foreign aid, Advisor to the Prime Minister and Official Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Dr. Majed bin Mohammed Al Ansari said that the figures mentioned in the Financial Times report on the reduction of budgets of a number of government agencies and the reduction of funding for Qatari foreign aid were inaccurate, stressing that much of it was taken out of context. Al Ansari added that media outlets are required to refer to official sources to verify the announced figures and information, stressing that the economic indicators and growth figures that will be announced during the coming period will reflect the strength of the Qatari economy and its ability to deal with current developments. He clarified that talk of reducing budgets by up to 30 percent is related to the precautionary measures taken by the state at the beginning of the regional crisis, as is the case for any country facing exceptional circumstances or an escalation in the region. He noted that this percentage relates to operational expenses only, and does not include salaries or capital projects. He added that the priority for the Qatari decision-maker was to ensure that the lives of citizens and residents were not affected, whether in terms of the availability of products, supply chains, salaries and other aspects of living. He stressed that the State of Qatar continues to enjoy a normal economic life despite the regional challenges. He pointed out that the second priority was to ensure the continuation of national development projects and that they would not be stopped for any reason, indicating that these projects are proceeding according to the plans drawn up for them, and that all the measures taken come within the framework of precautionary measures imposed by regional circumstances. He stressed that these economic measures are not structural or permanent, but rather circumstantial measures related to the current escalation in the region, and do not represent a change in the structure of the Qatari economy or its strategic directions. Regarding the Israeli stance on moving to the second phase of the ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip, the Advisor to the Prime Minister and Official Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that the State of Qatar has repeatedly stressed the need to exert pressure on Israel to accept the proposed plan and proceed with its implementation, noting that the developments on the ground in Gaza and the West Bank do not reflect positive cooperation with the ongoing efforts. He added that the mediators, particularly the State of Qatar and the United States of America, are continuing to work to ensure the implementation of the agreed commitments on the ground, and to push toward completing the stages of the plan and achieving progress in the path of de-escalation. Regarding the peace process in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Al Ansari welcomed the progress made by the parties involved in the mediation efforts, as reflected in the statement issued after the meetings hosted by Switzerland on the implementation of the roadmap and the completion of negotiations on the remaining protocols. He reiterated the State of Qatar’s commitment to continuing to support efforts aimed at achieving a comprehensive and sustainable peace in the DRC, appreciating the positive interaction of the parties involved in the negotiation process, and emphasizing Doha’s support for all international and regional initiatives and efforts supporting the peace process.
The State of Qatar strongly condemns Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz’s illegal entry into Syrian territory and transgression of international borders as a violation of the sovereignty of the Syrian Arab Republic and its territorial integrity.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs calls on the international community to move swiftly to compel the Israeli occupation to adhere to international legitimacy resolutions, particularly the ceasefire agreement signed in 1974, and to end its repeated aggression on Syrian territories, to prevent escalation and tension in the region.
The Ministry renews the State of Qatar’s full support for the sovereignty and independence of Syria and the safety of its land. The Ministry also stresses the State of Qatar’s support for the Syrian people in establishing their security, stability, and prosperity.
Thank you very much, Your Excellency Brother Badr Abdelatty.
First, I would like to extend my thanks to you for your generous hospitality and warm reception, and to thank Their Excellencies the ministers for what they have provided and contributed to our meetings today—the meeting of the bilateral committee.
Of course, as Your Excellency mentioned, Qatar-Egypt relations are fraternal relations with a long history, depth, and strong foundations. We are always seeking to fulfill the aspirations of our two leaderships and our two brotherly peoples. God willing, with every meeting of the Qatari-Egyptian bilateral committee, we see progress and move into another phase of developing these relations.
We were honored this morning to meet with His Excellency President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi. I believe Brother Badr referred to the key issues discussed during the meeting, but the meeting was held in a fraternal atmosphere, and there were in-depth discussions regarding the security and stability of the region, particularly the situation in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank in occupied Palestine, developments in the Iranian-American war, and the status of navigation and security in the Gulf.
We also discussed during our meeting with His Excellency the importance of working bilaterally and collectively with our brothers in the region to enhance security and stability and consolidate peace in the region, particularly in light of the sensitive circumstances we are currently experiencing. His Excellency the President also affirmed his support for working together to identify alternatives and solutions for supply chains, as His Excellency mentioned, whether through shipping lines or in various other areas.
I was also honored to meet with His Excellency Brother Dr. Mostafa Madbouly, Prime Minister of the sisterly Arab Republic of Egypt. We discussed the most important joint projects between the State of Qatar and the sisterly Arab Republic of Egypt, and we were very pleased to witness the launch of the Alam Al-Roum project. God willing, this will also be an addition to the projects being undertaken by Qatari Diar and Qatari investments in the sisterly Arab Republic of Egypt.
We witnessed the signing of four agreements in the areas of customs cooperation and regulatory work, in addition to cooperation in the fields of education and health, as well as the establishment of His Highness the Amir Hospital in Sohag Governorate. We look forward to this also constituting a qualitative leap for the healthcare sector for our brothers in the governorate. We also look forward to exploring future opportunities, God willing, in various fields, whether in the industrial sector, particularly in the pharmaceutical industries.
Of course. Given the circumstances the region is going through, I discussed several regional issues with my brother Badr today, foremost among them the situation in the Gaza Strip and, primarily, in the occupied Palestinian territories. Of course, we are now at a pivotal stage following the Palestinian factions’ announcement that they had accepted the peace plan and were prepared to move forward with the arrangements related to the collection of weapons. The ball is now in the Israeli side’s court.
To be honest, there have been significant efforts, and the partnership and joint work we undertook with our brothers in Egypt and Türkiye to reach this stage were intensive efforts that demanded a great deal from us in order to achieve this breakthrough. We had thought that there would at least be a positive response from the Israeli side to implement commitments that, even from the first phase, it has yet to fulfill. However, as we have come to expect, instead of responding positively to these developments, it has continued its violations to this day, targeting civilians and escalating settlement activities, in addition to continuing its unlimited attacks, which take place without deterrence, whether in Lebanon or in Syria.
Today, there is a key factor which is the Israeli actions that is, unfortunately, contributing to destabilizing the region. The region continues to extend its hand in peace and to seek stability in the region, but unfortunately, day after day, we see these extended hands being rejected.
We also discussed other issues in the region, foremost among them the crisis in Sudan. We also reaffirmed our support for political solutions in Libya, and clearly affirmed our support for the unity and territorial integrity of Sudan, Libya, and all Arab territories.
As you know, the region is experiencing difficult circumstances, particularly since the beginning of the U.S.-Iran war, which, unfortunately, has had very harmful repercussions for the entire region, not only for the Gulf region. I discussed with my brother Badr the efforts that the State of Qatar is undertaking and continuously pursuing through its mediation, in partnership with Pakistan, amid the stalemate we are witnessing and the current situation, which has unfortunately obstructed many matters for us.
We affirmed the necessity and importance of ensuring the freedom, security, and safety of navigation, whether in the Strait of Hormuz or the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. We call for a return to the situation that existed before the war. International maritime traffic must not be held hostage or used as a tool for political blackmail by any party, and we condemn anyone who obstructs such movement.
The State of Qatar will continue its efforts with our brothers, whether in the Gulf states, the Arab Republic of Egypt, or elsewhere in the region, to support diplomatic solutions. We hope to reach solutions between the two sides soon, return to the memorandum of understanding, and restore diplomacy instead of, unfortunately, resorting to a language of escalation and political blackmail.
We reaffirmed the importance of continued coordination and consultation between our two countries and between our respective foreign ministries. God willing, we look forward to hosting you in Doha next year for the eighth session of the High Committee. I thank you for your hospitality and for everything you have done for us today.
Journalist’s Question:
Thank you for the opportunity.
My question to His Excellency the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Qatar: In light of Israel’s official and declared rejection of moving forward with the implementation of U.S. President Donald Trump’s peace plan for Gaza, are there other avenues that can be pursued jointly, rather than relying on the U.S. role? And how does His Excellency also view the recent Israeli escalations, whether through increased violations in the West Bank, the continued occupation of areas in southern Lebanon, or the recent attacks on Syrian territory?
Thank you very much.
Regarding Israel’s obligations to implement what is required of it, whether the remaining commitments under the first phase or the second phase of the peace plan, we are relying primarily on the United States to exert pressure on Israel to fulfill its obligations. However, as mediating countries and as fellow Arab countries, we also care about what is happening in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank. We will therefore also undertake international diplomatic efforts to create international pressure on Israel to fulfill its obligations.
I believe that today we are witnessing this behavior as an ongoing and, unfortunately, systematic pattern. From the Israeli side, whenever the other party seeks to fulfill its obligations, Israel does the opposite and acts in contradiction to them. We say that the continuation of such actions will yield nothing but negative consequences for the Strip, for Israel, and for the region as a whole. Therefore, we must avoid such actions. We hope that the U.S. side will fulfill its role. Just as there was an Egyptian-Qatari-Turkish role in securing the Palestinian factions’ agreement to this plan, there is also a role for the United States, European countries, and the international community to pressure Israel to fulfill its obligations.
In addition, regarding the escalation and the opening of fronts, whether in Lebanon and the violations occurring there on a daily basis or in Syria, the Arab side met recently in the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, where we reaffirmed the importance of collective action to put an end to these Israeli violations, particularly those at Al-Aqsa Mosque and the violations in the West Bank.
God willing, diplomatic efforts and contacts will continue in this direction. We must also look at the situation today in general: What is the overall security situation in the region? The region is highly volatile. If this issue is not addressed jointly by the European countries, the United States, and the countries of the region, this escalation will have repercussions for all the countries of the region. We hope that everyone will shoulder their responsibilities, act responsibly, and put an end to these violations, which bring nothing to the region except instability.
Journalist’s Question:
My question is for His Excellency the Qatari Prime Minister: In light of the tensions currently affecting maritime navigation, how is Qatar responding to Iran’s conduct in the Strait of Hormuz?
As I mentioned at the outset, Qatar’s efforts at the moment are focused on mediation between Iran and the United States. There are also efforts between Iran and the Sultanate of Oman to reach an agreement and find an interim solution to the current situation. However, we must also not forget that freedom of navigation must be guaranteed without requiring any efforts by any state, and that these maritime passages must not be held hostage to any form of political blackmail.
The State of Qatar is working in consultation with our brothers in the Gulf Cooperation Council and in the region to find other diplomatic avenues with the Iranian side to restore maritime navigation to its normal course. We hope that this will, at the very least, be a positive step toward fully defusing the crisis. We look forward to the Iranian side shouldering its responsibilities and responding to the region, as well as taking into consideration the damage it has caused to us as countries in the region as a result of this closure.
The State of Qatar welcomes the United States’ decision to remove the Syrian Arab Republic from the list of state sponsors of terrorism.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs describes the move as a positive development that would support efforts to promote stability in Syria and the wider region and advance the political settlement process in accordance with international resolutions, in a manner that serves the aspirations of the brotherly Syrian people.
The Ministry reaffirms Qatar’s steadfast position in support of Syria’s unity, sovereignty and independence, and reiterated its solidarity with the Syrian people in their efforts to achieve security, stability and prosperity.
HE Secretary-General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Dr. Ahmed bin Hassan Al Hammadi has inaugurated the “Sard” platform, meant for monitoring news and events and all that is published on social media platforms in a variety of languages.
The move helps strengthen the monitoring and unpacking of developments and back the work of the ministry and its staffers with relevant information and data.
The inauguration ceremony was attended by Advisor to the Prime Minister and Official Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Dr. Majed bin Mohammed Al Ansari, HE Ambassador of the State of Qatar to the Federal Republic of Germany Abdullah bin Ibrahim Al Hamar, alongside a lineup of directors of departments at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The inauguration is part of the ministry’s plan to leverage AI-powered technologies in its daily work, whether at its departments or diplomatic missions abroad.
HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani has received a written message from HE President of the United Republic of Tanzania, Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan, pertaining to bilateral relations and ways to support and develop them. The message was handed to HE Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani, during his meeting on Monday with HE Minister of Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation of the United Republic of Tanzania, Mahmoud Thabit Kombo, who is currently visiting the country.
HE Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani met with HE State Secretary at the Ministry of Defense of the Federal Republic of Germany Jens Plotner, who is currently visiting the country.
During the meeting, the latest regional developments were reviewed, as well as the diplomatic efforts made to reduce escalation, contain tensions, and enhance security and stability in the region, and the latest developments in the Gaza Strip and the occupied Palestinian territories, in addition to a number of regional and international issues of common interest.
The State of Qatar expresses its strong condemnation and denunciation of the attack targeting a bus belonging to the Internal Security Forces in the countryside of Damascus in the Arab Republic of Syria, which resulted in the injury of several security personnel.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs renews the State of Qatar’s firm position of rejecting violence, terrorism, and criminal acts, regardless of the motives, stressing its complete solidarity with the Syrian government in all measures it would take to maintain security and stability.
The Ministry expresses the State of Qatar’s wishes for a swift recovery for the injured.
