Daijiworld Media Network - Doha
Doha, Nov 3: The United States and Iran are reviewing proposals aimed at ending their conflict, but differences between the two sides remain unresolved despite continued diplomatic engagement, Qatar said on Tuesday.
"Bridging the gap is still a work in progress," Qatari Foreign Ministry spokesperson Majed Al Ansari said during the ministry's weekly press briefing, confirming that both sides were examining proposals and ideas put forward by mediators.
Al Ansari said a Qatari delegation returned from Tehran on Monday evening after holding more than three hours of discussions with Iranian officials, significantly longer than the scheduled one-hour meeting, Xinhua News Agency reported.
The discussions involved an exchange of views and proposals aimed at narrowing differences between Washington and Tehran, he said, adding that mediation efforts were continuing following the visit.
However, Al Ansari cautioned against interpreting the ongoing talks as a breakthrough, saying no concrete progress could yet be announced. He noted that both sides had nevertheless demonstrated a willingness to pursue diplomacy.
He said Qatar was working towards an interim agreement to build confidence between Washington and Tehran and create conditions for further negotiations and a lasting settlement.
The spokesperson stressed that confidence-building measures should be part of a phased diplomatic process, with both sides demonstrating their commitment by implementing agreed measures.
Addressing the recent incident involving the Qatari liquefied natural gas (LNG) carrier Al Mayeda in the Arabian Gulf, Al Ansari reiterated Qatar's condemnation of the attack and its opposition to any threats to freedom of maritime navigation.
He said Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries were closely coordinating their diplomatic efforts to prevent further escalation, warning that a resumption of hostilities would serve no party's interests.
Al Ansari expressed hope that continued diplomatic engagement would lead to an agreement capable of ending the current crisis and creating conditions for lasting peace in the region.