ATHENS: Qatar’s Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani on Saturday called on “all parties to respond positively” to ongoing Pakistan-led mediation efforts to de-escalate the war between the United States and Iran.
Sheikh Mohammed made the remarks during a meeting with Kuwait’s Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmed Abdullah Al-Ahmed Al-Sabah on the sidelines of the inaugural Alliance for Europe-Gulf Geopolitics and Investments Summit in Athens, Greece, the Qatari Foreign Ministry said.
The discussions focused on strengthening bilateral relations and reviewing regional developments, particularly the US–Iran ceasefire and wider de-escalation efforts.
According to the Qatari statement, Sheikh Mohammed stressed the importance of constructive engagement with mediation initiatives to address the root causes of regional crises through dialogue and peaceful means.
He said such efforts were essential to achieving a sustainable agreement that would prevent renewed escalation and help enhance security and stability across the region.
Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs @MBA_AlThani_ Meets Kuwaiti Prime Minister
Athens | May 16, 2026
HE Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani met Saturday with HH Prime Minister of the State of Kuwait… pic.twitter.com/rfkgT24NFq
— Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Qatar (@MofaQatar_EN) May 16, 2026
Pakistan continues efforts for peace
Pakistan is playing a key diplomatic role to de-escalate tensions between Washington and Tehran and end the conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran.
Islamabad maintains close engagement with multiple regional and international stakeholders and continues to support efforts aimed at achieving stability and long-term peace.
Pakistan brokered an April 8 ceasefire between the US and Iran and later hosted direct talks between American and Iranian delegations in Islamabad on April 11 and 12.
On Saturday, Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi arrived in Tehran to meet with Iranian officials.
A diplomatic source said that Naqvi is scheduled to meet with some senior Iranian officials during this unannounced visit.
He is expected to push the top Iranian leadership for the early finalisation of a peace accord between Iran and the United States.
On Wednesday, US Vice President JD Vance said that progress was being made in Pakistan-mediated talks with Iran.
“I think that we are making progress. The fundamental question is, do we make enough progress that we satisfy the president’s red line?” Vance told reporters at the White House.
The first round of Pakistan-mediated direct talks the US and Iranian negotiators in Islamabad on April 11 and 12 concluded without a final agreement.
However, the Islamabad Talks paved the way for further negotiations as Washington and Tehran continued exchanging proposals through Pakistan to end the conflict.
Vance led the US negotiation team, while Iran’s negotiating team was headed by Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf.
Pakistan’s mediation efforts
Pakistan has continued diplomatic efforts aimed at facilitating dialogue between Tehran and Washington and encouraging de-escalation through diplomacy.
On Wednesday, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to “proactive diplomacy and sustained regional engagement”.
Pakistan brokered a ceasefire between Iran and the United States on April 8 to halt the conflict.
Three days later, Islamabad hosted direct negotiations between the US and Iranian delegations in an effort to support a peaceful resolution to the conflict.
On Wednesday, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi praised Pakistan’s mediation role during a telephone conversation with Dar.
“The two leaders exchanged in-depth views on recent regional developments and Pakistan’s ongoing efforts to facilitate engagement between Iran and the United States, aimed at promoting sustained peace and stability in the region and beyond,” Pakistan’s Foreign Office said in a statement.
Trump praises Pakistan’s role
On Tuesday, Trump also praised Pakistan’s “great” mediation efforts.
Speaking on Tuesday, the US president commended Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir for helping secure the April ceasefire.
“They’re great. I think the Pakistanis have been great. The Field Marshal and the Prime Minister of Pakistan have been absolutely great,” Trump said.
