Saudi and Qatari Foreign Ministers Discuss with European Quartet (E4) Support for US-Iran Mediation

Qatari Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani and Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan participated yesterday in a ministerial meeting between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the State of Qatar, and the Group of Four European countries (E4), comprising French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot, German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul, Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, and British Foreign Minister Ed Miliband. The meeting took place on the sidelines of the Group of Seven (G7) ministerial meeting in the French capital, Paris.

The Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported that the meeting discussed developments in the Middle East, the ongoing attacks by the terrorist Houthi militia on civilians and civilian targets in Yemen and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and their repercussions on regional security. It also addressed diplomatic efforts to support mediation between the United States and Iran, aiming to de-escalate tensions and contain current regional crises.

The meeting also emphasized the importance of enhancing international coordination to secure regional sea lanes, ensuring the smooth flow of trade and the continuity of global supply chains.

The French Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that the meeting discussed “the situation in the Middle East, with a special focus on the Iranian crisis and its security and economic repercussions on the region and the international community as a whole.”

At the conclusion of the G7 ministers’ meetings, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that “economic sanctions on Iran are bearing fruit, and we will see what happens in the coming weeks and months,” expressing his country’s readiness “to reach a good deal with Iran.” He stressed that “economic pressure on Tehran has been successful to the extent that President Trump sees no need for an expanded military operation against it.”

Reiterating that sanctions on Iran are becoming more impactful day by day and that economic pressure on the country will increase, Rubio expressed readiness to reach a good deal with Tehran, adding his belief that Iran prefers to reach an agreement but has not yet reached a stage of seriousness. Rubio also expressed the military’s readiness to conduct operations against Iran at any time.

For his part, the French Foreign Minister considered that the risk of renewed escalation between the United States and Iran remains. Barrot said, “The risk of resuming strikes and escalation has not been entirely ruled out; otherwise, we would not have dedicated all this time and effort over these two days to discussing these issues with our American counterpart, and subsequently with the Qatari Prime Minister.” He added, “But we support the efforts being made, particularly by regional countries, to find a path toward the liberation or reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and toward a political solution to avoid a recurrence of strikes.”

For his part, the British Foreign Minister urged a “comprehensive diplomatic effort” to end the war between Iran and the United States, warning of the economic damage resulting from the current stalemate.

Miliband welcomed U.S. President Donald Trump’s remarks that excluded a return to major combat operations, and praised the “positive momentum” in Qatari mediation. He said, “We need to move beyond the no-war, no-peace dilemma that is causing deep economic difficulties for our countries.”

Miliband, who also welcomed Qatari efforts, added, “The current situation is economically bad for us, and it does not lead to a stable balance.” He continued, “We must witness a comprehensive diplomatic effort to end this conflict, prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons and the resulting global threats, and ensure the full reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. Economically, this is essential for our country and for the global economy.”