Qatar’s Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani met U.S. Vice President JD Vance in Washington to discuss Iran negotiations, regional de-escalation efforts, and ongoing mediation aimed at achieving lasting peace.
Qatar’s Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani met U.S. Vice President JD Vance in Washington on Friday to discuss strategic cooperation between Qatar and the United States, regional developments, and ongoing mediation efforts aimed at reducing tensions in the region.
According to Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the discussions covered the close strategic partnership between Doha and Washington and ways to strengthen cooperation across various fields.
The two sides also reviewed the latest developments in the region and the Pakistani mediation efforts aimed at de-escalation and enhancing regional security and stability.
During the meeting, Sheikh Mohammed stressed the importance of all parties responding to the ongoing mediation efforts to help address the root causes of the crisis through peaceful means and dialogue and reach a comprehensive agreement capable of achieving lasting peace in the region.
The Qatari Prime Minister arrived in Washington, D.C. earlier on Friday, where he was welcomed by Hamad AlMuftah, Deputy Chief of Mission at the Embassy of the State of Qatar in Washington.
According to Axios reporter Barak Ravid, citing a U.S. official, Qatar continues to play a key mediating role as a back channel between Washington and Tehran in negotiations aimed at reaching a possible agreement to end the war.
Reuters separately reported, citing a source, that discussions between Vance and Sheikh Mohammed would also cover U.S.-Qatar relations, the situation involving Iran, LNG markets, and regional stability.
The visit comes amid cautious optimism, with Sheikh Mohammed stating a day earlier that there had been “positive progress in the exchange of messages between Washington and Tehran”.
“We are also in contact with the Pakistani mediator, who is making efforts in this regard,” Sheikh Mohammed said.
Speaking from Rome, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Washington expected to receive Tehran’s response to a proposed agreement “today at some point”.
“We’re expecting a response from them — we’ll see what the response entails,” Rubio told reporters, adding that the administration hoped it would lead to “a serious process of negotiation”.
Iran has indicated it is still weighing its response, as diplomatic channels remain active despite heightened regional tensions.
In recent years, Sheikh Mohammed has emerged as one of the region’s leading mediators, playing a central role in diplomatic efforts related to Gaza, Afghanistan, Iran, and other sensitive regional files.