Doha: Qatar’s Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani, held a phone call with Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi to discuss regional developments, according to Qatar’s Foreign Ministry.
The ministry said in a statement on Monday (local time) that the two officials reviewed Pakistani mediation efforts between the United States and Iran, as well as the latest developments in Lebanon.
Al-Thani reaffirmed Qatar’s support for reaching a comprehensive agreement to resolve the crisis, urging all parties to engage constructively with mediation initiatives to achieve lasting peace and regional stability, reports Xinhua news agency.
He also stressed that freedom of navigation is a fundamental principle that must not be compromised, warning that closing the Strait of Hormuz or using it as a tool of pressure would only deepen the crisis and jeopardise the vital interests of regional countries.
The Qatari prime minister reiterated the importance of pursuing diplomatic solutions and dialogue to address regional challenges and prevent further escalation, according to the statement.
The phone call came as regional and international efforts continue to support mediation between the United States and Iran and ease tensions in the Gulf. Concerns have persisted over maritime security and freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, a vital route for global energy supplies.
Meanwhile, Iran’s main military command, Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, on Monday warned Israel against bombing the Lebanese capital city of Beirut and its southern district of Dahieh, the official news agency IRNA reported.
In a statement, the command warned citizens in northern Israel and military settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories to evacuate if the Israeli attacks continue.
It accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of continuing his “malicious actions” in the West Asia region by threatening to bomb Beirut and Dahieh.
Also on Monday, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian expressed concern over Israel’s frequent ceasefire violations in Lebanon, the continued displacement of Lebanese citizens, and the US political and military support for Israel.
In a phone call with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, the Iranian president said the United States’ failure to fulfil its commitments and Israel’s destabilising actions have posed challenges to the diplomatic process. He noted that Iran is committed to resolving regional tensions through dialogue and diplomacy.
Netanyahu and Israel’s Defence Minister, Israel Katz, on Monday said in a joint statement that they had ordered the military to strike Beirut’s southern suburbs, in response to repeated Hezbollah “violations” of the ceasefire in Lebanon by launching attacks on northern Israeli cities.
Iran’s semi-official Tasnim news agency reported Monday that Tehran has halted talks and exchanges of draft proposals with the United States via mediation in protest against Israel’s actions in Lebanon.
(IANS)
