Qatar PM Calls Strait Of Hormuz Situation ‘Very Difficult’, Says Diplomacy Must Prevail

Qatar's Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani has characterized the current situation in the Strait of Hormuz as "very difficult and very challenging." In an interview with CNN, Al-Thani condemned the "manipulation and blackmailing" of vital waterways, asserting that the Strait has always been an international passage.

He called for an end to these actions, stating, "The strait has been always an international waterway... We should put an end to this manipulation and this blackmailing of the waterways."

Al-Thani also noted that diplomatic efforts between Iran and the US had seen some positive progress in recent weeks. He explained that indirect talks held this week had yielded "some positive progress" and expressed hope that diplomacy could prevail to find a resolution. During the 81st UN General Assembly in New York, Al-Thani met with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian. Their discussions encompassed regional developments, efforts to reduce tensions, and fostering an environment conducive to dialogue.

This comes in the wake of reports that US President Donald Trump had dismissed an Iranian proposal for a seven-day ceasefire. Iran's Foreign Minister Syed Abbas Araghchi claimed Tehran had presented the proposal via intermediaries. Under this plan, Iran would reopen the Strait of Hormuz at the conclusion of the seven-day period and resume comprehensive negotiations on its nuclear program.