Qatar, Iran Agree to Strengthen Bilateral Cooperation

The Iranian President receives Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani (Iranian Presidency)
The Iranian President receives Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani (Iranian Presidency)
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Qatar, Iran Agree to Strengthen Bilateral Cooperation

The Iranian President receives Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani (Iranian Presidency)
The Iranian President receives Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani (Iranian Presidency)

Qatar’s Emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian have agreed to expand bilateral cooperation, stressing their shared commitment to regional stability and prosperity.

During a joint press conference at Saadabad Palace in Tehran, Pezeshkian stated that frequent exchanges between officials from both countries reflect strong historical, economic, and cultural ties, as well as aligned perspectives on regional and international issues.

Pezeshkian stated that his talks with Sheikh Tamim covered “current regional developments” and reaffirmed their commitment to Syria’s territorial integrity, sovereignty, and the right of the Syrian people to determine their own future.

He further stressed Iran’s belief that regional countries can contribute to stability and security through good neighborly relations, mutual respect, and constructive cooperation. He called for the establishment of a joint framework to enhance regional collaboration.

Sheikh Tamim expressed his satisfaction with his visit to Iran, emphasizing the importance of strengthening historical ties based on good neighborly relations. He underscored the need to expand cooperation, particularly in trade and economic sectors, and reaffirmed Qatar’s support for initiatives that promote regional stability and prosperity.

According to the Qatar News Agency, the discussions focused on enhancing bilateral relations, particularly in the fields of economy, trade, and energy. Both sides explored investment opportunities and exchanged views on key regional and international developments.

The Palestinian issue was also a key topic of discussion. Sheikh Tamim reiterated the importance of maintaining a ceasefire in Gaza and ensuring the delivery of humanitarian aid. He expressed hope that the ceasefire would lead to an end to civilian suffering and pave the way for a just and comprehensive resolution to the Palestinian crisis.

Later, during a meeting with Sheikh Tamim, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei reaffirmed Tehran’s commitment to strengthening ties with neighboring countries. He voiced hope that the agreements signed between Iran and Qatar would serve the interests of both nations and called for stronger regional cooperation and increased economic exchanges between Tehran and Doha.

Khamenei described Qatar as a “brotherly and friendly nation” but pointed out unresolved issues, particularly concerning Iranian funds transferred from South Korea to Qatar. He claimed that US pressure was the main obstacle to implementing the related agreement.

“If we were in Qatar’s position, we would not have yielded to such pressure,” he said, adding that Iran still expects Qatar to take decisive action on the matter.

Sheikh Tamim acknowledged the complex and challenging conditions in the region, pointing to the need for stronger cooperation among regional countries. He announced that the Iran-Qatar joint committee would soon commence its work, predicting a significant increase in economic exchanges between the two nations in the near future.



Minister Says US Can Access Minerals, Military Bases in Somaliland

Minister of the Presidency of the Republic of Somaliland, Khadar Hussein Abdi looks on during an interview in Hargeisa on February 21, 2026. (Photo by Tony KARUMBA / AFP)
Minister of the Presidency of the Republic of Somaliland, Khadar Hussein Abdi looks on during an interview in Hargeisa on February 21, 2026. (Photo by Tony KARUMBA / AFP)
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Minister Says US Can Access Minerals, Military Bases in Somaliland

Minister of the Presidency of the Republic of Somaliland, Khadar Hussein Abdi looks on during an interview in Hargeisa on February 21, 2026. (Photo by Tony KARUMBA / AFP)
Minister of the Presidency of the Republic of Somaliland, Khadar Hussein Abdi looks on during an interview in Hargeisa on February 21, 2026. (Photo by Tony KARUMBA / AFP)

Somaliland is willing to give the United States access to its minerals and military bases, a minister has told AFP, as the breakaway region of Somalia seeks international recognition.

Israel became the only country in the world to recognize Somaliland's independence in December -- something the territory has been seeking since declaring its autonomy from Somalia in 1991.

The government in Mogadishu still considers Somaliland an integral part of Somalia even though the territory has run its own affairs since 1991, with its own passports, currency, army and police force.

"We are willing to give exclusive (access to our minerals) to the United States. Also, we are open to offer military bases to the United States," Khadar Hussein Abdi, minister of the presidency, told AFP in an interview on Saturday.

"We believe that we will agree on something with the United States."

Somaliland president Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi already suggested in recent weeks granting Israel privileged access to its mineral resources.

And Khadar Hussein Abdi said he could not rule out the possibility of also allowing Israel to set up a military presence.

The African Union and most Arab countries have thrown their support behind Somalia and condemned the move.

The US, however, defended what it said was Israel's right to recognize Somaliland, although President Donald Trump said he was unlikely to follow suit, despite pressure from some within his Republican party.


Senior Iranian Official: New Talks with US Planned in Early March, Interim Deal Possible

Pedestrians walk past a billboard depicting a US aircraft carrier with damaged fighter jets on its deck and a sign in Farsi and English reading, "If you sow the wind, you'll reap the whirlwind," in Tehran, Iran, Sunday, Feb. 22, 2026. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi)
Pedestrians walk past a billboard depicting a US aircraft carrier with damaged fighter jets on its deck and a sign in Farsi and English reading, "If you sow the wind, you'll reap the whirlwind," in Tehran, Iran, Sunday, Feb. 22, 2026. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi)
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Senior Iranian Official: New Talks with US Planned in Early March, Interim Deal Possible

Pedestrians walk past a billboard depicting a US aircraft carrier with damaged fighter jets on its deck and a sign in Farsi and English reading, "If you sow the wind, you'll reap the whirlwind," in Tehran, Iran, Sunday, Feb. 22, 2026. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi)
Pedestrians walk past a billboard depicting a US aircraft carrier with damaged fighter jets on its deck and a sign in Farsi and English reading, "If you sow the wind, you'll reap the whirlwind," in Tehran, Iran, Sunday, Feb. 22, 2026. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi)

Iran and the United States have differing views over the scope and mechanism to lift sanctions on Tehran in exchange for curbs on its nuclear program, a senior Iranian official told Reuters on Sunday, adding that new talks were planned in early March.

The official said Tehran could seriously ⁠consider a combination of ⁠exporting part of its highly enriched uranium (HEU) stockpile, diluting the purity of its HEU and a regional consortium for enriching uranium, but in return Iran's ⁠right to "peaceful nuclear enrichment" must be recognized.

"The negotiations continue and the possibility of reaching an interim agreement exists," the official said.

Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said on Friday that he expected to have a draft counterproposal ready within days following nuclear talks with the ⁠United ⁠States this week, while US President Donald Trump said he was considering limited military strikes.

The senior official said Tehran will not hand over control of its oil and mineral resources but US companies can always participate as contractors in Iran’s oil and gas fields.


Witkoff Says Trump Questioning why Iran Has Not 'Capitulated'

US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff listens as President Donald Trump (not pictured) speaks at the inaugural Board of Peace meeting at the US Institute of Peace in Washington, D.C., US, February 19, 2026. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque
US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff listens as President Donald Trump (not pictured) speaks at the inaugural Board of Peace meeting at the US Institute of Peace in Washington, D.C., US, February 19, 2026. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque
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Witkoff Says Trump Questioning why Iran Has Not 'Capitulated'

US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff listens as President Donald Trump (not pictured) speaks at the inaugural Board of Peace meeting at the US Institute of Peace in Washington, D.C., US, February 19, 2026. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque
US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff listens as President Donald Trump (not pictured) speaks at the inaugural Board of Peace meeting at the US Institute of Peace in Washington, D.C., US, February 19, 2026. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque

US envoy Steve Witkoff said on Saturday that President Donald Trump is questioning why Iran has not "capitulated" in the face of Washington's military build-up aimed at pressuring them into a nuclear deal.

The United States and Iran this week resumed Oman-mediated talks in Geneva aimed at averting the possibility of military action, after Washington dispatched two aircraft carriers, jets and weaponry to the region to back its warnings.

In a Fox News interview with Trump's daughter-in-law Lara, Witkoff said the president was "curious" about Iran's position after he had warned them of severe consequences in the event they failed to strike a deal.

"I don't want to use the word 'frustrated,' because he understands he has plenty of alternatives, but he's curious as to why they haven't... I don't want to use the word 'capitulated,' but why they haven't capitulated," AFP quoted him as saying.

"Why, under this pressure, with the amount of seapower and naval power over there, why haven't they come to us and said, 'We profess we don't want a weapon, so here's what we're prepared to do'? And yet it's sort of hard to get them to that place."

The US envoy also confirmed in the interview that he had met with Reza Pahlavi, who has not returned to Iran since before the 1979 Iranian Revolution that ousted the monarchy.

"I met him at the direction of the president," he said, without providing further details.

US-based Pahlavi last week told a crowd in Munich that he was ready to lead the country to a "secular democratic future" after Trump said regime change would be best for the country.

Witkoff's comments come after Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said a draft proposal for an agreement with Washington would be ready in a matter of days.

Trump said on Thursday that Iran had at most 15 days to make a deal on concerns starting with its nuclear program.

As talks between the two nations continued in Geneva, Iran's supreme leader Ali Khamenei on Tuesday said that Trump would not succeed in destroying the country.