Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi met today with his Qatari counterpart Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani in Doha, his spokesman said amid growing Israeli threats against Tehran, AFP reported, quoted by BTA.
Qatar plays the role of a mediator along with the US and Egypt in the conflict between Israel and the Palestinian movement “Hamas” in Gaza and recently called for an end to the violence in Lebanon, where the Israeli army is stepping up operations against “Hezbollah” — an ally of “Hamas“ and Iran.
„Important consultations were held between Aragchi and the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Qatar, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, regarding the general situation in the region and our bilateral relations,” said Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghai in the social network “X“.
„It is the responsibility of all countries to make maximum efforts to protect our region from catastrophe by ending the genocide in Gaza and the aggression against Lebanon,” he added after the meeting.
The Iranian diplomat's talks with Qatari officials focused on the situation in Gaza and Lebanon, as well as de-escalation efforts in the region, an anonymous source close to the discussions said.
Araghchi's visit comes as Israel, a staunch foe of Tehran, announced it was preparing a response to Iran's October 31 missile attack. It was carried out in revenge for the assassination of the leader of the Lebanese group “Hezbollah” Hassan Nasrallah in Lebanon.
Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Galant promised that his country's response would be “deadly, precise and surprising”.
Araghchi also held talks in Saudi Arabia with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, expressing hope that his consultations in the region would contribute to improving the situation in Palestine and Lebanon and help achieve peace. In Beirut on Friday, he called for a “simultaneous“ ceasefire on both fronts.
Last week, Iranian President Massoud Pezeshkian visited Qatar, where he assured that Iran does not want war with Israel, but promised a “stronger response” if Israel attacks.