Progress requires patience

Qatar has called for more time to allow diplomatic efforts between the United States and Iran to bear fruit, as the region holds its breath over the fate of negotiations that could determine whether the Middle East slides further into conflict.

Speaking at a press conference in Doha, Qatari Foreign Ministry spokesman Majed al-Ansari said his country supports the mediation efforts led by Pakistan to bring the two sides closer together, but warned that reaching a solution "requires more time."

The statement came after President Donald Trump claimed on his Truth Social platform that he had called off a new military strike against Iran at the request of the leaders of Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE, all of whom reportedly told him a deal remains within reach.

Asked directly about Trump's claim, al-Ansari declined to elaborate. "We are not in a position at this stage to give any indication of what might happen in the negotiations," he said, adding, however, that Qatar's priority is clear: "We want to protect the populations of the region, who would be the biggest losers" in any escalation.