Doha – Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani has held one telephone conversation with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi since the start of the current conflict, according to a statement made Tuesday by Qatar’s Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Majed Al-Ansari.
Al-Ansari emphasized that communication channels with Iran remain open despite the limited direct contact. He affirmed Qatar’s position as a non-party to the conflict, stating the country has consistently rejected any use of its territory for aggressive actions. “Qatar is not a party to the war and has made it clear from the beginning that it will not allow its territory to be used as a launching pad for any aggression,” Al-Ansari said during a press conference in Doha.
The spokesperson reiterated Qatar’s belief that diplomacy is the most effective path toward resolving regional crises, noting ongoing efforts to engage with all involved parties to de-escalate the situation. Al-Ansari’s comments come as regional tensions remain high, with international concerns focused on the potential for wider conflict.
Majed Al-Ansari was appointed as the Official Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the State of Qatar in February 2022, also serving as an advisor to the Prime Minister. Prior to this role, he served as the Director of Policy at the Institute of Social and Economic Survey Research (SERI) at Qatar University and held positions as a researcher in international relations at the Foreign Ministry beginning in 2005. He also heads the Center for International Policy Research (CIPR), focusing on political risk analysis and conflict resolution.
In April 2024, Al-Ansari conducted interviews with both Haaretz and Kan, marking a notable instance of Qatari engagement with Israeli media outlets. According to reports, this engagement signaled a potential increase in Qatar’s openness to direct dialogue with the Israeli public.
Qatar continues to maintain contact with all parties involved, seeking a pathway to de-escalation.
