Doha, November 10 (QNA) - Director of the Media and Communication Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ibrahim bin Sultan Al Hashmi, affirmed that Qatari mediation efforts to bridge the gap between the United States and Iran are ongoing. He noted that these efforts have gained significant momentum over the past few days and weeks, in coordination with regional and international partners as well as the concerned parties.

During the ministry's weekly media briefing, Al Hashmi said that HE Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani met on Monday in Washington with the HE Vice President of the United States of America JD Vance. His Excellency subsequently held a closed-door meeting with the HE President of the United States of America Donald Trump, at the White House. The discussions addressed the situation in the region and ways to make progress in US-Iran negotiations. The meeting at the White House was described as "positive" and focused on narrowing the gaps between the two sides.

Director of the Media and Communication Department at MOFA added that there is progress in the negotiations, and the mediator is making a continuous and diligent effort to bridge the gaps between the parties' positions. He noted that details will be disclosed once the final shape and features of the agreement are settled.

He indicated that Qatari efforts included visits by Qatari officials to Tehran, followed by discussions with regional states and relevant partners, and culminated in a visit to the United States by HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs. He noted that the mediator focuses on any glimmer of hope, ensuring that no potential avenue for a solution is left unexplored.

Al Hashmi said that mediation is not merely a political or technical process. At its core, it represents the raising of a banner of hope and a profound belief in a peaceful solution, no matter how complex the circumstances or how great the challenges may be.

He noted that, despite the negative tone in the media over the past few days, mediation efforts are still ongoing, and both sides have spoken positively about a diplomatic solution - an outcome that the State of Qatar is focused on and striving to achieve through the current negotiations.

Regarding the Strait of Hormuz, the Director of the Media and Communications Department at Director of the Media and Communication Department at MOFA said that the approach of winter, combined with the continued closure of the Strait of Hormuz, compounds the costs of this closure for all nations, particularly for vulnerable populations, especially given the energy crisis currently affecting countries worldwide. He emphasized the necessity of exerting every possible effort to resolve this crisis and restore freedom of navigation through the Strait as soon as possible.

He said that the mediator is working tirelessly to put an end to the prevailing uncertainty, a state of neither war nor peace, and to restore stability and prosperity to the region. He indicated that this is the current focus of the mediation efforts and the consultations between the American and Iranian sides, while commending their positive engagement in the ongoing negotiation process.

He reaffirmed the State of Qatar's full solidarity with the fraternal Kingdom of Saudi Arabia regarding the measures it may take to preserve its security and the integrity of its territory.

In a separate context, Al Hashmi addressed remarks made by HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs during his interview with journalist Piers Morgan, concerning certain undisciplined media practices related to the mediation process, as well as the subsequent incident on Friday, in which a statement by His Excellency was taken out of context, distorted, and widely circulated.

He indicated that the circulation of the fabricated statement revealed to the world the kind of deliberate distortion and misinformation that a mediator may face - tactics that could potentially derail the mediation process. He said that there are responsibilities that must be upheld in this regard. The first responsibility, which falls upon the mediator and the state involved in the negotiations, is to remain open with the media and keep them informed about the progress of the talks. The second responsibility lies with the media outlets themselves; while they have the right to engage in legitimate competition, this should not be pursued by taking matters out of context, nor at the expense of populations already suffering the impact of crises.

He added that the third responsibility rests with everyone and pertains to what he described as a "battle of awareness," amid the recent surge in artificial fabrication, digital noise, electronic trolls, and attempts to shape public consciousness.

Director of the Media and Communication Department at MOFA emphasized the necessity of verifying the sources of information, their context, the evidence supporting them, and the entities behind them, warning that failing to do so leaves one vulnerable to misinformation and falsehoods. (QNA)