Qatar's Foreign Ministry: Efforts now focus on halting escalation and returning to the dialogue table

Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson, Majid Al-Ansari, confirmed that current efforts are focused on de-escalating the crisis, halting further escalation, and working to bring the two sides of the dispute back to the negotiating table and to a memorandum of understanding.

Al-Ansari stated that Qatar believes the only way forward is through a ceasefire, the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, and a return to negotiations, emphasizing that Doha seeks to reach an agreement on both reopening the strait and implementing a ceasefire simultaneously.

He added that Qatar’s efforts at this stage are directed at stopping the escalation and creating conditions for resuming dialogue, stressing that diplomatic work is now the top priority.

Regarding the case of the pilots, Al-Ansari said that Qatar found the remains of one of the two pilots who breached Qatari airspace on March 19, noting that Doha had handed over the remains of one pilot to the Iranian side.

He clarified that the Iranian side had not responded to Qatar’s invitation to send a technical team to observe the search operations, pointing out that Iran had buried the remains of one pilot, and that the invitation remains open for Tehran to send any technical team.

He added, “We do not know the motives behind Iran raising the issue of the pilots six months after the incident occurred.”

On Gulf affairs, Al-Ansari pointed out that there is continuous coordination among Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) leaders to collectively address any future challenges.

He affirmed that Qatar would not hesitate to defend its country, its people, and its sovereignty, while reiterating that diplomatic efforts remain the priority at this stage.