Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani and US President Donald Trump discussed efforts for regional de-escalation and stability in a phone call, the Emiri Diwan said on Wednesday, as Washington and Tehran pursue diplomatic solutions to Iran's nuclear program.
They underscored the importance of continued coordination and consultation on issues of mutual interest, as well as supporting diplomatic efforts aimed at resolving crises through dialogue and peaceful means, said Qatar’s state news agency QNA.
The call comes ahead of a meeting between Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu where the Israeli prime minister is expected to press him to widen US talks with Iran to include curbs on Tehran's missile arsenal and other security threats beyond its nuclear program.
Qatar has been engaging in diplomatic efforts with regional allies to ease tensions between Washington and Tehran to avert the threat of a military confrontation between the longtime adversaries.
Ali Larijani, an adviser to Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, arrived in Qatar on Wednesday and was expected to meet with Sheikh Tamim, as Washington and Tehran prepare to resume negotiations.
The two countries held indirect talks in Oman last week, which a spokesperson for Iran's foreign ministry said had allowed Tehran to gauge Washington's seriousness and showed enough consensus for diplomacy to continue.
Doha has also been mediating between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza war, alongside the US and Egypt.
