Qatar confirmed on Tuesday that negotiations between the United States and Iran over Tehran's nuclear program are continuing despite escalating regional tensions and fears of renewed military confrontation. Doha also reaffirmed its support for Saudi Arabia in defending its sovereignty against attacks targeting the Kingdom.
Dr. Majed bin Mohammed Al-Ansari, Adviser to the Prime Minister and Official Spokesperson for Qatar's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said at the eighth Global Security Forum in Doha that negotiations between Washington and Tehran over Iran's nuclear program remain ongoing, with both sides continuing to engage in the diplomatic process.
Speaking at the forum, held under the theme "The Future of Alliances," Al-Ansari explained that the absence of public information about the negotiations does not mean they have stalled. Instead, he suggested that the lack of public reporting could be a sign that mediators are doing their work effectively behind closed doors.
"The fact that we're not hearing about it is a good sign that we're doing our job properly," he said, emphasizing that the chances of successful mediation improve when diplomatic contacts take place away from public scrutiny.
Addressing regional security developments, the Qatari foreign ministry spokesperson reiterated Doha's support for Saudi Arabia in confronting attacks on its sovereignty.
"Qatar is supporting our brothers in Saudi Arabia in defending their sovereignty against this attack," he said.
Discussing the challenges facing Qatari diplomacy, Al-Ansari acknowledged that mediation efforts involve difficulties that vary according to the parties involved and the nature of each conflict. He stressed that Doha seeks to draw on its previous experiences to strengthen its ability to manage negotiations.
He explained that the challenge is not necessarily identifying which party is the most difficult to negotiate with, but rather understanding the nature of each crisis and responding to its particular circumstances.
Every mediation effort, he said, offers lessons that contribute to the accumulated expertise of Qatari diplomacy.
Al-Ansari added that Qatar aims to build on this experience to ensure that the challenges it encounters do not undermine the consistency of its position or its commitment to its mediation responsibilities.
His remarks come amid growing concerns over a wider confrontation in the Middle East, as diplomatic efforts continue to contain tensions and find political solutions to regional crises, particularly the standoff between Washington and Tehran and the repercussions of attacks targeting Gulf countries.
Senior officials and security experts attending the 2026 Global Security Forum in Doha are examining the reshaping of international alliances amid intensifying geopolitical competition and the emergence of increasingly influential blocs.
The forum provides an opportunity for senior decision-makers to exchange views, assess emerging security challenges and explore practical ways to strengthen international cooperation.
Discussions also address the pressures facing international institutions, the growing influence of emerging powers and non-state actors, and the future of multilateral cooperation and collective security, with particular emphasis on the central role of diplomacy, dialogue and mediation in strengthening regional and global security.
