U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with the prime minister of Qatar, a Middle East ally that has reportedly been working behind the scenes to try to broker an end to Iran’s war.
The May 9 meeting came as Washington awaited a response from Tehran to its latest peace proposal aimed at ending the fighting, but which would postpone many important issues for discussion at a later date.
“The Secretary expressed appreciation for Qatar’s partnership on a number of issues,” State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott said in a brief statement following Rubio’s meeting with Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, who is also Qatar’s foreign minister.
“The secretary and foreign minister also discussed US support for Qatar’s defence and the importance of continuing close coordination to deter threats and promote stability and security in the Middle East,” the statement said.
The statement did not specifically mention Iran.
A day earlier, Al Thani met with US Vice President J.D. Vance and “stressed the need for all parties to participate in the ongoing mediation efforts to pave the way for addressing the root causes of the crisis through peaceful means and dialogue, leading to a comprehensive agreement that will achieve lasting peace in the region.”
Meanwhile, according to tracking services, a Qatari tanker carrying liquefied natural gas (LNG) was heading into the Strait of Hormuz on 9 May, bound for Pakistan.
Reuters quoted sources as saying that the move was authorised by Tehran as part of a confidence-building effort with Qatar and Pakistan, which is mediating the war.