Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani has called for caution over ongoing US-Iran talks, warning that “external circumstances” could still affect negotiations despite the willingness shown by both sides.
“We must be cautious, because despite the will, there are external circumstances that may affect the negotiations,” Al Thani told Al Jazeera on Monday.
He said a recently signed memorandum of understanding between Washington and Tehran had helped halt the war and created the basis for negotiations.
“The memorandum was reached after significant efforts with Qatar’s partners in Pakistan and with regional support,” he added.
According to the Qatari premier, the main objective of the agreement is to stop the war and establish a framework for negotiations between the two sides.
The memorandum creates an “institutional framework for the negotiating process” and requires the US and Iran to meet regularly to resolve outstanding issues, he said.
‘Encouraging progress’
Al Thani described the framework presented during Sunday’s talks in Switzerland as “positive”, adding that technical discussions were continuing.
The remarks came after the first high-level direct meeting between US and Iranian officials concluded early on Monday at the Lake Lucerne Summit in Burgenstock, Switzerland.
The 100-minute first round of talks brought together the two countries’ chief negotiators, US Vice President JD Vance and Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, under Qatari and Pakistani mediation.
Qatar and Pakistan said the discussions had taken place in a “positive and constructive atmosphere” and resulted in “encouraging progress” towards ending the war in Lebanon and easing pressure on Iran’s economy.
