Qatar says mediators are waiting for a deal between Iran and Oman before wider talks between the United States and Iran can resume.
Qatar’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Majed Al Ansari made the remarks at a press conference in Doha.
He said an agreement on the Strait of Hormuz could help clear the way for new US-Iran talks. Recent reports say Iran and Oman have been working on arrangements for shipping through the strategic waterway.
Iran and Oman Discuss Strait of Hormuz
Al Ansari said mediators are watching the talks between Tehran and Muscat closely.
Iran and Oman have been discussing arrangements for maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz.
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Qatar said earlier this month that the talks had reached an advanced stage.
The discussions now focus on practical arrangements for ships using the waterway.
The Strait of Hormuz remains a key issue in efforts to reduce regional tensions.
A deal between Iran and Oman could therefore help create conditions for wider diplomatic talks.
Qatar Says US-Iran Talks Need Progress
Al Ansari said the Iran-Oman agreement could help open the way for US-Iran negotiations.
Qatar has been involved in efforts to reduce tensions between Washington and Tehran.
However, the wider diplomatic process still faces major challenges.
Iran and the United States remain divided over several key issues.
Qatar and Iran in Contact Over Pilots
Al Ansari also spoke about a dispute involving Iranian pilots.
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He said Qatar and Iran remain in direct contact over the issue.
Qatar has kept its invitation for an Iranian delegation open.
However, Tehran has not yet responded to the invitation, according to Al Ansari.
The dispute began after Iranian aircraft entered Qatari airspace during the conflict earlier this year.
Iran has claimed that three pilots survived and remain in Qatar.
Doha has rejected the claim.
Qatar says its search teams recovered the remains of one pilot and later returned them to Iran.
Qatar Rejects Iran’s Claims
Qatar says it invited Iran to send a technical team.
The team could review details of the search and rescue operation.
Al Ansari said Iran has not accepted the invitation.
Qatar has also rejected claims that it is holding Iranian pilots.
The dispute has added another challenge to Qatar’s efforts to mediate between Iran and other countries.
Red Cross Role Sparks Dispute
Iran has also called for the International Committee of the Red Cross to intervene in the pilots’ case.
Al Ansari described the request as a tactic by Iran.
He said Qatar believes the matter should remain under direct contact between the two countries.
Qatar continues to say that its invitation to an Iranian delegation remains open.
Diplomacy Faces Major Challenges
The latest developments show the difficulties facing regional diplomacy.
Iran and Oman are still working on the Strait of Hormuz issue.
At the same time, Qatar is trying to keep communication open between Iran and other parties.
A deal on the waterway could help reduce tensions and support wider negotiations.
However, major disagreements remain between Iran and the United States.
For now, mediators are watching the Iran-Oman talks closely as they seek a path back to broader US-Iran negotiations.
