Qatar Foreign Ministry spokesperson Ansari discussed the US-Iran negotiations and the situation in the Strait of Hormuz at a news conference in Doha, and also spoke about developments in Gaza, the West Bank and East Jerusalem.
Ansari said talks between the United States and Iran were continuing and that Qatar was directing its efforts toward establishing common ground between the two sides. Saying the meetings were ongoing, Ansari said Doha was helping convey messages between the parties.
Qatar highlights dialogue for a regional solution
Ansari said Qatar was continuing its mediation efforts and that the crisis in the region needed to be resolved through peaceful means. Saying they saw no other way to resolve the crisis, Ansari stated that a solution depended on regional dialogue.
Ansari said this dialogue needed to develop into a security system based on coexistence and nonaggression, and said Iran needed to keep the countries of the region out of the war. He said the authorities in Tehran needed to adopt a clear position against attacking their neighbors.
Call to restore passage through the Strait of Hormuz
Ansari said one of Qatar's priorities in reducing tensions was restoring freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz. He said they were focused on addressing the security concerns of the countries in the region.
Ansari said the current crisis should not be treated solely as a dispute between Iran and the Gulf countries, and said they did not believe there was a separate dispute between Qatar and Iran that needed to be resolved.
Regional escalation affects the global economy
Ansari said the effects of the war and instability in the region on the global economy were worsening, adding that the consequences for the world economy had reached unsustainable levels. He warned that the economic effects could become even more severe as the winter season approached.
Ansari said any escalation in the region would cause suffering for everyone and that they were working to prevent it. He said the continuation of war and instability would make global economic conditions even more difficult.
Warning of a new reality in the West Bank and East Jerusalem
Addressing developments in the West Bank, Ansari said Israel was trying to create a new reality. He linked events in the West Bank to attempts to impose a new reality in violation of international consensus and the Oslo Accords.
Ansari called for increased international efforts to end Israel's violations in the West Bank and East Jerusalem.
Humanitarian situation deteriorates in Gaza
Ansari said the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip was worsening by the day, adding that tensions on the ground had risen after periods of progress in ceasefire talks.
Ansari said escalation had occurred on the ground whenever progress was made in the Gaza negotiations, and argued that the Netanyahu government had repeatedly taken steps that undermined efforts to secure a ceasefire in Gaza.
