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.



Zelenskiy Says Ukraine Has Secured Three Patriot Systems, Looking to Finance Seven More

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy attends the parliament session in Kyiv, Ukraine Thursday, July 17, 2025. (AP) 
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy attends the parliament session in Kyiv, Ukraine Thursday, July 17, 2025. (AP) 
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Zelenskiy Says Ukraine Has Secured Three Patriot Systems, Looking to Finance Seven More

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy attends the parliament session in Kyiv, Ukraine Thursday, July 17, 2025. (AP) 
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy attends the parliament session in Kyiv, Ukraine Thursday, July 17, 2025. (AP) 

Ukraine has received confirmation from partners that they will provide three Patriot missile defense systems and discussions are underway to obtain seven more, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Thursday.

"I have officially received confirmation from Germany for two systems, and from Norway for one. We are currently working with Dutch partners," he told reporters.

President Donald Trump announced earlier this month that billions of dollars of US weapons would go to Ukraine, including Patriot missiles. This set off negotiations around which partners could contribute to the weapons purchasing scheme -- a process that will determine the support Ukraine receives, Reuters said.

The Patriot systems have proven effective at destroying Russian ballistic missiles aimed at Ukraine's cities.

In addition to securing air defense supplies, Ukraine needs to cover a financing gap of $40 billion next year, Zelenskiy said in remarks released by his office.

An additional $25 billion will be needed for missiles, drones and electronic warfare systems production, he added.