Tillerson: Quartet is Not Ready for Dialogue with Qatar

US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson departs with Qatar's Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani after a press conference in Doha. (Reuters)
US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson departs with Qatar's Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani after a press conference in Doha. (Reuters)
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Tillerson: Quartet is Not Ready for Dialogue with Qatar

US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson departs with Qatar's Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani after a press conference in Doha. (Reuters)
US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson departs with Qatar's Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani after a press conference in Doha. (Reuters)

US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson acknowledged on Sunday that the four boycotting countries and Qatar have a major gap to bridge in resolving the diplomatic and economic crisis between them.

He said that Saudi Arabia “is not yet ready to kick off direct discussions with Doha to end the nearly five-month diplomatic and trade boycott.”

Tillerson made his remarks from Doha during a joint press conference with his Qatari counterpart Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani.

Commenting on talks he had held with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Riyadh, he remarked: “There are no strong indications that the sides involved are prepared for dialogue.”

The US official said that Washington supports dialogue as a means to end the Doha crisis.

Tillerson added however that the US will not impose any solution on any side involved in the dispute.

“The US is prepared to facilitate dialogue, including helping set a roadmap for it,” he revealed, while pledging to continue to offer “any help” to end the crisis.

For his part, the Qatari FM said: “Doha is still committed to dialogue with the four boycotting countries.”

He also warned against postponing an upcoming Gulf Cooperation Council summit as a result of the dispute, revealing that Doha has not yet received an invitation to attend the meeting.

Furthermore, he said that the Emir of Qatar agrees with US President Donald Trump that the Gulf crisis has taken too long to be resolved, noting that it has affected the security of all GCC countries.

Tillerson had kicked off over the weekend a six-nation tour that saw him first land in Saudi Arabia where he held talks with Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz, Iraqi Prime Minister Haidar al-Abadi and other senior officials.



Oman Warns of Escalation Risk, Qatar Pushes to Revive Talks

Qatar’s Emir receives written message from Iran’s President Pezeshkian. Photo: QNA
Qatar’s Emir receives written message from Iran’s President Pezeshkian. Photo: QNA
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Oman Warns of Escalation Risk, Qatar Pushes to Revive Talks

Qatar’s Emir receives written message from Iran’s President Pezeshkian. Photo: QNA
Qatar’s Emir receives written message from Iran’s President Pezeshkian. Photo: QNA

Oman warned on Wednesday against the growing military escalation between Israel and Iran and stepped up its diplomatic efforts to shield the region from the risk of a broader conflict.

Qatar, also intensifying its mediation, said it was working with regional and international partners to end the Israeli-Iranian confrontation. This came as Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani received a written message from Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian.

According to the Qatari state news agency, the letter focused on bilateral relations and ways to enhance them.

On Tuesday, Majed Al Ansari, spokesperson for the Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs and advisor to the Prime Minister, said Doha was in constant contact with friends and partners in and outside the region to help end the escalating conflict.

“Qatar is engaging all parties to narrow differences and reach a scenario that puts an end to this dangerous escalation,” he said.

Al Ansari added that Qatar was working closely with regional and international actors to revive negotiations and de-escalate tensions to prevent the region from sliding into a potentially devastating war.

He said the Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister had spoken with several international officials in recent days, voicing strong condemnation of Israel’s repeated violations and attacks, which he said undermine efforts to achieve peace.

Al Ansari stressed the urgent need for collective regional and global action to reduce tensions and resolve disputes through diplomacy.

In Muscat, the Omani Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Foreign Minister Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi held talks with his Arab counterparts and key international partners, including EU foreign policy chief and European Commission Vice-President Kaja Kallas.

According to Omani sources, the discussions focused on tackling rising regional tensions triggered by Israel’s pre-emptive strikes on Iran and Tehran’s subsequent response, part of a broader crisis that has been intensifying since early Friday.

The talks also addressed the need to align international positions, increase political and legal pressure to halt Israeli attacks, and push for comprehensive negotiations aimed at restoring stability and averting further military escalation.

Al Busaidi urged an immediate end to what he called a “tragic war threatening regional security” and called for heightened diplomatic pressure to revive a political solution.