Qatar says Pakistan to host US-Iran MoU signing in Geneva

ISLAMABAD: Qatar on Tuesday said Pakistan will lead a high-stakes memorandum of understanding (MoU) signing ceremony in Geneva on Friday, positioning Islamabad as a central mediator in a major diplomatic breakthrough between Iran and the United States.

Speaking at a press conference in Doha, spokesperson for the Foreign Office clarified the diplomatic configuration of the talks, noting that while Qatar is not acting as a direct mediator in this specific track, it remains a staunch supporter of the Pakistani-led diplomatic initiative.

“Qatar highly appreciates and commends Pakistan’s pivotal role throughout this entire process,” the spokesperson said, adding that Islamabad has successfully emerged as the primary interlocutor bridging the gap between Washington and Tehran.

A primary focus of the breakthrough remains the mitigation of geopolitical friction in critical maritime trade corridors, particularly the Strait of Hormuz, which is vital for Qatar’s liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports and broader global energy security.

The Foreign Office spokesperson expressed strong optimism that the imminent understandings brokered by Islamabad would immediately reduce friction in the strategic choke point.

“It is our hope that this memorandum of understanding will help secure and reopen maritime routes in the Strait of Hormuz, enabling Qatar to seamlessly continue its supply of LNG to various international partners,” the spokesperson stated.

He said that the resumption of stable natural gas supplies remains a vital expectation of the broader agreement being finalised between the United States and Iran.

For regional partners like Qatar, maritime security and absolute stability represent the highest strategic priorities, he said.

While welcoming the diplomatic progress as a positive step toward broader regional stability, Islamabad tempered expectations regarding a rapid resolution to the decades-long friction between Washington and Tehran.

“While a new agreement resulting from the ongoing talks between Iran and the United States is a constructive development for regional stability, all core issues will not be resolved overnight; this process will require time,” the spokesperson cautioned.

The spokesperson reiterated that Qatar will continue its active diplomatic engagements to prevent any re-escalation of hostilities in the Middle East and to preserve long-term regional peace.