Qatar’s emir and Trump discuss mediation to ease regional tensions in phone call

Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and US President Donald Trump spoke by phone on Friday about easing regional tensions, according to the Emiri Diwan, the emir’s office.

The call came as a senior Iranian official said Tehran had passed a nuclear proposal to Washington through Qatar.

What did Qatar’s emir and Trump discuss?

The Diwan said the two leaders discussed Qatar’s mediation and wider diplomatic efforts, including support for negotiations aimed at “a comprehensive agreement that resolves the crisis.” They also reviewed the strategic relationship between Qatar and the United States and ways to strengthen it.

Sheikh Tamim stressed the need for continued dialogue and diplomatic initiatives to prevent further escalation. He also called for freedom of navigation and the security of energy supplies to be ensured, the statement said.

Who is mediating between the US and Iran?

Qatar and Pakistan have been mediating between the United States and Iran to end the war, which began with US and Israeli attacks on Iran in late February. The Qatar emir and Trump phone call followed reports of a new Iranian proposal.

The Iranian official, who spoke to Reuters on condition of anonymity, said the proposal would be discussed only after Washington meets Tehran’s seven demands. The official said the United States was reviewing the proposal but gave no further details.

What are Iran’s seven demands?

Iran’s top security official, Mohsen Rezaei, set out the same position on Thursday during a visit to Russia. He said Iran had given the Americans seven conditions and that, until they are carried out, it would “neither open the Strait of Hormuz nor have negotiations.”

The demands include the lifting of US sanctions, the release of frozen Iranian assets and war reparations, among other conditions. Washington has said nuclear issues must be part of any initial negotiations.