Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani on Friday called on warring parties to engage in mediation efforts during talks with U.S. Vice President JD Vance, the Qatari Foreign Ministry said on social media platform X.

“During the meeting, the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs stressed the need for all parties to engage with 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 achieves lasting peace in the region,” the ministry said.

Iran and the U.S. exchanged fire this week amid a ceasefire.

According to U.S. news outlet Axios, while Pakistan is considered the official mediator in the Iran war, Qatar has been operating behind the scenes.

Qatari representatives are an important unofficial channel between the U.S. and Iran in diplomatic efforts to reach an agreement to end the war, Axios reported, adding that Qatari officials are using their contacts with high-ranking generals of the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

The Qatari Foreign Ministry said that Vance and Al Thani discussed Pakistan’s mediation efforts to de-escalate tensions.

The White House is currently awaiting Iran’s response to its 14-point memorandum of understanding, which aims at establishing a framework for an initial 30-day round of talks to end the conflict.

According to media reports, discussions are also ongoing about a potential easing of U.S. sanctions, arrangements concerning the future of the Strait of Hormuz, and a basis for renewed nuclear negotiations.

On Thursday, the Iranian government said that it was reviewing a U.S. negotiation proposal.

(dpa/NAN)