Qatar Supports Extension of US-Iran Ceasefire Until Solution is Reached

Doha (ANTARA) - Qatar supports the extension of the ceasefire between the United States (US) and Iran until a solution is reached, a Qatari official said on Tuesday (21/4), warning that the closure of the Strait of Hormuz would escalate the current crisis from a regional issue to a global one.

“If no agreement is reached, Qatar supports extending the ceasefire until a solution is achieved,” said spokesperson for the Qatari Foreign Ministry, Majed Al-Ansari, during a press conference.

Al-Ansari reiterated Qatar’s call to end the conflict and return to the negotiating table. He warned that further escalation would have negative impacts on regional security and the global economy.

He expressed Qatar’s full support for mediation efforts led by Pakistan. Al-Ansari stated that Qatar continues to coordinate with Islamabad and communicate with relevant parties, including the US, to support efforts towards a peaceful resolution.

Al-Ansari also affirmed that ensuring freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz is a shared responsibility of the international community, given the vital role of the waterway in energy supplies, logistics chains, and global trade.

He reaffirmed Qatar’s commitment as a reliable energy partner and its coordination with partners to maintain maritime security and market stability.

The two-week ceasefire between the US and Iran took effect on 8 April, after which the two sides held the first round of peace talks in Islamabad, Pakistan, which yielded no results.

The second round of talks, scheduled for Tuesday (21/4) in Pakistan, is now increasingly uncertain amid the approaching ceasefire deadline, as Tehran has not yet decided whether to participate and Washington has delayed its delegation’s departure to Pakistan.

While Iran and mediator Pakistan say the ceasefire ends on Tuesday (21/4) night local time, the US says it will end a day later.