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“We are cautiously optimistic,” Qatar’s foreign ministry spokesperson Dr Majed Al Ansari said on Tuesday, as Doha welcomed an expected US-Iran agreement while pointing out that the framework should be treated as a first step rather than a final settlement.
“We are on the right track towards regional security. Obviously, there are a lot of challenges coming ahead, but let’s take this as a moment to enjoy some optimism,” Al Ansari said at his weekly briefing in Doha.
However, the framework deal expected to be signed in Geneva on Friday — which is expected to be attended by Qatar’s representatives — would not mean a return to normal in the Gulf.
“Regarding business as usual, I don’t think there’s anything that can be described as usual in the region post this conflict,” Al Ansari said.
“These are issues that have plagued the region for decades. They will not be resolved in mere days.”
The framework agreement announced by both sides on Sunday is expected to include the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz after months of disruption to one of the world’s most important energy corridors.
Al Ansari said the deal would restore normal navigation through the waterway, “so that Qatar can continue supplying LNG,” easing pressure on global energy markets.
He said the bigger challenge lay beyond the signing ceremony itself. “We have to find the new norm, which will include a lot of rebuilding of trust, rebuilding of communication channels, and understanding exactly how the post-war region will look,” Al Ansari explained.
Qatar has reasons for caution, as Tehran has targeted it and other Gulf countries in its daily missile and drone attacks following the initial US-Israeli strikes on Iran in February.
While a ceasefire was reached on 8 April, Iran still sporadically bombarded its neighbours. Meanwhile, Doha has taken on the role of one of the key mediators between the two.
According to Al Ansari, Qatar plans to continue to support the peacemaking effort led by Pakistan, which has played a central role in facilitating talks between Washington and Tehran.
“In Qatar we don’t take lightly our responsibility towards regional security,” he said, affirming the Gulf country’s commitment to preventing further hostilities.
Speaking at a bilateral meeting with Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani on the sidelines of the G7 summit in Évian-les-Bains on Tuesday, Trump praised Doha’s role in brokering the agreement.
Trump opened the meeting by telling the emir, “You’ll always be my friend.” Sheikh Tamim thanked Trump for his leadership but cautioned that the ceasefire agreement, while “a very important deal,” still required substantial follow-through.
“We are very, very impressed with Qatar and the way they handled things,” Trump said.
“Working with Qatar and the people of Qatar was really a pleasure. They were tough, they were strong. You know they are the closest to Iran physically,” he added, citing Qatar’s “great bravery”.