Qatar Opens ‘Communication Channel’ between US, Iran

Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani receives Iran's President Ebrahim Raisi in Doha, Qatar. (Reuters)
Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani receives Iran's President Ebrahim Raisi in Doha, Qatar. (Reuters)
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Qatar Opens ‘Communication Channel’ between US, Iran

Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani receives Iran's President Ebrahim Raisi in Doha, Qatar. (Reuters)
Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani receives Iran's President Ebrahim Raisi in Doha, Qatar. (Reuters)

Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani announced on Monday's his country's readiness to provide assistance to reach an "acceptable solution for all parties" to revive the nuclear agreement between Iran and major powers.

Sheikh Tamim held a meeting at the Emiri Diwan in Doha with Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, who is on an official visit to Doha to participate in the sixth summit of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF).

The Emir spoke of the "strong relations" between Doha and Tehran, wishing further development and growth in various fields.

Sheikh Tamim held a press conference with Raisi afterward, announcing that they discussed several regional and international issues of joint interest, namely the security and stability of the region.

In this regard, Sheikh Tamim reiterated that dialogue is the best way to resolve all differences and face the various challenges that the region is going through.

Raisi briefed Sheikh Tamim on the outcome of the Vienna negotiations regarding the nuclear agreement between Iran and the West and its impact on the security and stability of the region.

He said that the US must prove that it will lift sanctions imposed on Tehran during the ongoing indirect talks to salvage the nuclear agreement.

He stressed that his country is looking forward to qualitative development and opening new horizons with Qatar, neighboring Gulf countries, and the region, and to boosting cooperation.

Raisi expressed his aspiration to develop Qatari-Iranian relations to benefit the two countries and their peoples.

Qatar added the Iran nuclear dispute to its list of diplomatic hotspots where it has taken a mediation role between Washington and Tehran.

Earlier this month, Qatari Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani went on an unannounced visit to Tehran shortly after Sheikh Tamim met US President Joe Biden in Washington.

Agence France-Presse (AFP) reported that Qatar's unannounced visit to Iran included talks with Raisi and Iran's foreign minister.

On Monday, Sheikh Tamim and Raisi signed several bilateral agreements, including two energy deals, Further details were not immediately available.

Raisi is the first Iranian President to visit Doha in 11 years. It is his third overseas trip since becoming president in 2021.

Iran is among the world's three largest gas exporters, along with Russia and Qatar, Raisi highlighted.

He is accompanied during his visit by the Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Oil and Cultural Heritage, and the Chief of the Presidential Office.



Before the 'Big Beautiful Breakup': Musk and Trump's Bromance

(COMBO) This combination of pictures created on June 03, 2025 shows Elon Musk looks and US President Donald Trump in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC, on May 30, 2025. (Photo by Allison ROBBERT / AFP)
(COMBO) This combination of pictures created on June 03, 2025 shows Elon Musk looks and US President Donald Trump in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC, on May 30, 2025. (Photo by Allison ROBBERT / AFP)
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Before the 'Big Beautiful Breakup': Musk and Trump's Bromance

(COMBO) This combination of pictures created on June 03, 2025 shows Elon Musk looks and US President Donald Trump in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC, on May 30, 2025. (Photo by Allison ROBBERT / AFP)
(COMBO) This combination of pictures created on June 03, 2025 shows Elon Musk looks and US President Donald Trump in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC, on May 30, 2025. (Photo by Allison ROBBERT / AFP)

It may have been one of the most predictable break-ups in history. But for a few brief months US President Donald Trump and tech tycoon Elon Musk were inseparable.

Here are some key moments before the marriage of two huge egos imploded over Musk's criticisms of Trump's "big, beautiful" budget mega-bill.

- Jumping on stage -

The world's richest man literally jumped for joy when he first stumped for Republican candidate Trump on the campaign trail on October, 5 2024.

The South African-born Musk leapt in the air like one of his Space X rockets as he joined Trump on stage in Butler, Pennsylvania, where Trump escaped an assassination attempt three months earlier, said AFP.

"As you can see, I'm not just MAGA, I'm dark MAGA," Trump told the crowd, tipping his all-black "Make America Great Again" hat.

He would go on to become the campaign's biggest donor, spending nearly $300 million.

'Lil' X'

Trump sprung a surprise on reporters when he brought Musk into the Oval Office for his first appearance before the media since his arrival in Washington.

Even more surprising was that Musk brought his young son, named X Æ A-Xii but more widely known as "Lil' X" -- later putting him on his shoulders.

"This is X and he's a great guy," said Trump, as the boy picked his nose while his father boasted about his cost-cutting exploits with the so-called Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).

Tensions? What tensions?

There were already rumors of tensions between the hard-charging Musk and other members of Trump's administration when the tycoon attended his first cabinet meeting in February.

But Trump moved to squish any suggestions of trouble in paradise. "Anybody unhappy with Elon? If they are, we'll throw 'em out of here," said Trump, jumping in after AFP asked Musk whether the reports of strains were true.

The rest of the cabinet then erupted into a round of applause for Musk -- just as they would do three months later when it emerged he was stepping back from the role.

At another meeting, Musk proudly wore a "Trump was right about everything" baseball hat.

Sleepovers

The president and the tech magnate seemed to spend most of their time together in the first feverish weeks of Trump's return to power.

They traveled together on Air Force One and his Marine One helicopter. Musk slept over at the White House, where he boasted of once eating a whole tub of ice cream.

In a display of macho bonding, they also attended mixed martial arts fights together.

Musk meanwhile proclaimed his loyalty on his social media platform, X. He declared himself the "First Buddy" and said: "I love @realDonaldTrump as much as a straight man can love another man."

Tesla showroom

Musk's Tesla car company took a major hit from his bromance with Trump. Trump, knowing that a threat to Musk's businesses could drive him out of his role, decided to help out.

The president turned the White House South Portico into a pop-up Tesla showroom for Musk, with a Cybertruck and a Model S parked outside. Trump even said he had purchased one.

Two of Trump's press aides were seen posing in the gleaming red car as recently as last week.

After the spectacular break up it was still sitting in the White House parking lot on Thursday.