Doha, September 29 (QNA) - Advisor to the Prime Minister and Official Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Dr. Majed bin Mohammed Al Ansari affirmed Tuesday that the State of Qatar is continuing its mediation efforts between the United States and the Islamic Republic of Iran to bridge viewpoints and establish common ground between the two parties.

He emphasized Qatar's commitment, from day one, to the necessity of reaching a peaceful solution and to supporting the Pakistani mediation.

During the weekly press briefing of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Al Ansari said that the past few days have seen a number of meetings and exchanges of messages between the parties, some taking place in New York during the 81st session of the UN General Assembly, and others occurring prior to that. He noted that efforts to hold meetings and facilitate the exchange of messages between the parties are ongoing.

Regarding the escalation in the region, the Advisor to the Prime Minister and Official Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs reiterated the State of Qatar's strong condemnation of any targeting of regional infrastructure by any party. He stated that targeting infrastructure, energy facilities, and vessels serves only to undermine the interests of the people, first and foremost, and that the peoples of the region do not deserve to be thrust into the fires of this conflict. He emphasized the necessity of respecting infrastructure and facilities amidst any regional escalation, noting that any threat to them constitutes a violation of the principles of international law and the principle of good-neighborly relations in the region.

Dr. Al Ansari indicated that any agreement faces obstacles, and that the role of mediation is to overcome difficulties and attempt to bridge the gap between the parties, noting that meetings are ongoing.

Regarding the possibility of reaching non-aggression agreements between the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states and Iran, Dr. Al Ansari said that the countries of the region did not choose to be part of this war, and there is no conflict between the countries of the region and Iran. He noted that it was Iran that decided to strike countries in the region as a result of the war that erupted between it, Israel, and the United States.

He urged Iranian officials to decide to distance themselves and the region from this war, emphasizing that what occurred constitutes an aggression against the countries of the region, nations that are sovereign states.

He added that the GCC states, as well as other countries in the region, have long expressed the need for a solution based on dialogue. Qatar seeks to achieve peaceful coexistence between the region's nations and Iran and is currently engaged in negotiations, despite having been subjected to a missile attack by Iran, without wavering from its position that the only solution to this crisis lies in dialogue.

He emphasized the need to establish a security framework based on coexistence, non-aggression, and good-neighborly relations, noting that the first step in this regard is for the region's states to acknowledge that they will not be targeted in any future escalation.

He indicated that the current focus is on bridging this gap and reaching a peaceful solution that enables regional states to resume freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, as well as addressing issues related to the security concerns of the region's countries.

Regarding the Gaza Strip and the transition to the second phase, Dr. Al Ansari said that the State of Qatar has been engaged in this matter since day one. He noted that a meeting of eight Arab and Islamic nations was held in New York, alongside more than 12 meetings at the ministerial and other levels to discuss the situation in the Gaza Strip and the Palestinian territories in general.

He indicated that the State of Qatar has been directly involved in the negotiation process and witnessed, on more than one occasion, the parties nearing progress, only for that momentum to be reversed, noting repeated attempts by the Netanyahu government to undermine ceasefire efforts.

He said that what is happening now is nothing new; whenever there is progress in the negotiations, there is an escalation on the ground.

Dr. Al Ansari also specifically warned against developments in the West Bank, saying that there is an attempt to impose a new reality there that contradicts the international consensus established since the Oslo Accords, a matter that cannot be ignored.

He commended the decisions of countries that imposed sanctions and took measures against settlement activity in the West Bank, stressing the need to redouble efforts to halt Israeli violations, particularly those involving changes to the status quo in the West Bank and East Jerusalem.

Dr. Al Ansari also pointed out that the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip is deteriorating and that humanitarian challenges are mounting daily.

He said that the State of Qatar made its voice heard loud and clear in New York before the UN General Assembly through the speech delivered by HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, as well as through statements made by Qatari officials in various meetings regarding the centrality of the Palestinian cause.

He emphasized the State of Qatar's continued efforts, alongside its regional brothers and international partners, to ensure progress toward a political solution and to support the implementation of US President Donald Trump's plan in the Gaza Strip.

Regarding the economic repercussions of events in the region, the Advisor to the Prime Minister and Official Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that countries in the region supply the rest of the world not only with energy derivatives but also with other products essential to food security, petrochemical industries, aluminum, and more. He noted that the region plays a significant role, extending beyond investment and procurement activities, creating an overall impact of serious consequence for the global economy. (QNA)