Turkey and Qatar Back Pakistan's Mediation in U.S.-Iran Conflict

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani met in Doha on May 12, 2026, to coordinate efforts to prevent a return to war between the United States and Iran. The two leaders voiced strong support for mediation led by Pakistan to secure a lasting ceasefire and restore free navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, which has been restricted by Iran and countered by a U.S. naval blockade of Iranian ports.

The conflict escalated following joint U.S.-Israeli strikes on February 28 that killed Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. While a ceasefire was brokered by Pakistan on April 8 and high-level talks occurred in Islamabad on April 11–12, a breakthrough remains elusive. Fidan stated that both nations now show sufficient will to reach a settlement, though tensions persist as Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf issued an ultimatum for the U.S. to accept a 14-point peace proposal. Meanwhile, Iranian officials warned they may enrich uranium to 90 percent if fighting resumes.

Regional and global powers are pressing for a resolution. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi urged Pakistan to intensify its efforts to reopen the Strait, which affects one-fifth of global oil and gas flows. However, Pakistan's neutrality has faced scrutiny following reports of Iranian military aircraft using its airbases. Simultaneously, Fidan and Sheikh Mohammed warned that the Strait must not be used as a weapon of blackmail against Gulf states, highlighting the risk to the global economy.