Qatar Says US-Iran Mediation Continues as Messages Exchanged

Qatar has said its mediation between the United States and Iran remains active, with messages continuing to pass between the two sides as mediators try to find common ground on ending the conflict.

Speaking at the Foreign Ministry's weekly briefing in Doha, spokesperson Majed al-Ansari said meetings and contacts were still under way. He described the current focus as building shared positions between Washington and Tehran, and said Qatar's role continues alongside Pakistani mediation efforts, which Doha has supported from the outset.

"We continue with the mediation and we are exchanging messages between the parties," al-Ansari told reporters, adding that encounters between the sides were ongoing.

The diplomatic push comes as US and Iranian officials have held separate talks with mediators over proposals to end the seven-month war, which has disrupted energy supplies and shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.

Asked about remarks by the US president, al-Ansari declined to confirm them, saying that was a matter for US officials. He said Qatar's priority was to keep channels open and work towards a deal that would spare the region the consequences of continued fighting.

Al-Ansari also warned of the economic cost of sustained instability. "Every day that this war continues, every day that instability continues in our region, it makes it more difficult for the international economy," he said, noting that no one could put a timeline on how long the global economy could absorb the strain.

Pressed on whether the US could strike Iran again before the midterm elections, he said Qatar was concerned by any escalation in the region and that failure to reach a peaceful resolution would bring hardship to all. Doha, he added, is working actively to prevent that outcome.