Doha Stresses Imperative Implementation of Washington-Tehran Accord for Security

Doha, Qatar – The State of Qatar, on Sunday, affirmed the necessity for the United States and Iran to adhere to their joint memorandum of understanding. This affirmation came during diplomatic contacts by Qatar's Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, with his counterparts from Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and Kuwait, according to separate Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs statements. Washington and Tehran signed the MoU on June 18 last year, initiating negotiations for a final agreement. However, disagreements arose over guaranteeing navigation freedom and security in the Strait of Hormuz, vital for global energy and trade. Between July 8 and 24 last year, the U.S. launched attacks on Iran, with Tehran responding by targeting what it called American military facilities in Arab countries, including Jordan, Bahrain, and Kuwait. During discussions, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman addressed with the three ministers "diplomatic efforts and joint coordination to de-escalate tensions and enhance regional security and stability." He emphasized "the imperative for all parties to commit to dialogue and diplomacy, implementing the MoU's terms, including ensuring freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, to maintain regional security." MoU provisions include: ending fighting on all fronts (including Lebanon), restoring normal Hormuz navigation, and ending the US naval blockade on Iran. Qatar's Foreign Minister reiterated full support for "defusing tension and reaching a comprehensive agreement for sustainable peace." U.S. President Donald Trump, on Sunday, announced that "Iran and other Middle Eastern countries requested a delay to complete an agreement leading to an immediate, full, and comprehensive reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, and an end to the Iranian nuclear threat." He added via "Truth Social": "Based on this request, I agreed, for the future benefit of the world and Iran's prosperity, to cancel the attack, provided an agreement is reached quickly." He warned that "the United States is fully prepared and ready to act against Iran," recalling his earlier statement on Friday that Washington "would inflict very severe strikes on Iran until it says it can no longer take it." Conversely, Iranian media, including Fars news agency, reported on Sunday that circulating news of an agreement with Washington to open the Strait of Hormuz to shipping "is not true."