DOHA, Qatar: Qatar and Turkiye on Tuesday voiced strong support for Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts to end the conflict between the United States and Iran.
Speaking at a joint press conference in Doha with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani said his recent visit to Washington had focused primarily on supporting Pakistan’s mediation efforts.
“The visit focused primarily on supporting the Pakistani diplomatic efforts and ensuring a positive response to these efforts to reach a solution as quickly as possible,” Sheikh Mohammed said.
He said discussions with Fidan focused on the “dire circumstances” facing the region due to the war, particularly the disruption to maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz.
The strategic waterway had been “used as a weapon in this war”, he said.
“Iran should not use this strait as a weapon to pressure the Gulf countries,” Sheikh Mohammed said.
He said Qatar would continue consultations with Gulf states to restore regional peace and insisted that the US and Israel conflict with Iran should be resolved through diplomacy.
“Backdoor negotiations must continue to bring about the end of the US-Israel war on Iran,” he said.
Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs @MBA_AlThani_ Meets Turkish Foreign Minister @HakanFidan
Doha | May 12, 2026
HE Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani met on Tuesday with HE Minister of Foreign Affairs… pic.twitter.com/fEOFqerPT8
— Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Qatar (@MofaQatar_EN) May 12, 2026
Turkiye backs mediation efforts
Fidan reiterated Ankara’s strong support for Pakistan’s role in trying to secure a negotiated settlement between Washington and Tehran.
He said Turkiye was contributing to Pakistan-led diplomatic efforts and supported initiatives aimed at reopening the Strait of Hormuz.
The Turkish foreign minister said the crisis had already had a “dire” impact on the world economy and stressed that the conflict needed to end urgently.
He also condemned Israeli “expansion policies” in Lebanon and Gaza, criticising their humanitarian impact on civilians.
Sheikh Mohammed condemned ongoing Israeli military operations in Lebanon and Gaza and described Turkiye as a “leading partner” in addressing regional crises.
On Monday, US President Donald Trump said he believed Iran would eventually “surrender”, while maintaining pressure on Tehran until an agreement is reached.
Trump also reiterated that Iran must never be allowed to acquire a nuclear weapon.
“Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon,” he said, adding that Tehran had been “defeated militarily, totally”.
Pakistan continues diplomatic push
Meanwhile, Pakistan continued diplomatic efforts to facilitate communication between Washington and Tehran.
On Monday, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar highlighted Islamabad’s role during a meeting with US Chargé d’Affaires Natalie A. Baker in Islamabad.
According to Pakistan’s foreign ministry, the two discussed the evolving regional situation and broader bilateral ties.
Dar expressed hope that ongoing diplomacy would contribute to regional peace and stability.
He also appreciated US assistance in facilitating the repatriation of Pakistani and Iranian seafarers through Singapore.
Pakistan has played a key mediation role since helping broker a ceasefire between Washington and Tehran on April 8 after weeks of conflict involving Iran, Israel and the United States.
Islamabad later hosted direct talks between senior US and Iranian negotiators on April 11 and 12.
Although those talks ended without a final agreement, both sides have continued exchanging proposals through diplomatic channels.
On Sunday, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif confirmed that Pakistan had received Iran’s response to the latest US peace proposal.
Pakistan’s leadership has intensified diplomatic outreach to Gulf and regional capitals in recent weeks, stressing dialogue and political engagement as the only viable path to de-escalation.
During a telephone conversation on Sunday with Sheikh Mohammed, Prime Minister Sharif reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to supporting regional peace and dialogue.
Trump praises Pakistan’s role
Trump last week credited Pakistan’s leadership for persuading Washington to pause “Project Freedom”.
Writing on his social media platform Truth Social, Trump said the United States had suspended the operation following requests from Pakistan amid broader efforts to reduce tensions in the Strait of Hormuz.
“Pakistan has been fantastic. And their leaders have been fantastic. The field marshal and the prime minister,” Trump wrote.
He also said last Thursday that a peace agreement between the United States and Iran could be reached as early as next week through Pakistan-led diplomacy.
