Turkey and Qatar

Fidan: Turkey and Qatar coordinate to push diplomatic track between Tehran and Washington

Sercan İrkin, Muhammed Kılıç

July 19, 2026•Updated: July 19, 2026

İSTANBUL

Istanbul / Anadolu

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan during an interview with Qatar TV:

-- We call for a return to the memorandum of understanding between the United States and Iran

- Qatar continues to make intensive efforts through various channels and diplomatic means to contribute to ending the war between Tehran and Washington

- Cooperation between Turkey and Qatar has become a model to be emulated in dealing with regional issues

- Qatar's security and stability, as well as that of the entire region, serves Turkey's interests

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said on Sunday that Turkey is closely coordinating with Qatar to push the diplomatic track between Iran and the United States.

This came during an interview Fidan gave to Qatar TV on the sidelines of his visit to the capital Doha.

Fidan called for a return to the memorandum of understanding between the United States and Iran.

He explained that Qatar continues to make intensive efforts through various channels and diplomatic means to contribute to ending the war between Tehran and Washington.

Fidan pointed out that Turkey and Qatar have deep historical ties, and that the foundations of the strategic partnership between the two countries were laid during the era of the late Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani.

He said that Sheikh Hamad was a visionary leader not only for Qatar but for the Islamic world and the entire world, and made constructive contributions that the region still benefits from today.

Fidan also praised Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, considering that since he assumed power in 2013, he has played a positive role in the region and contributed to raising the level of Turkish-Qatari relations and enhancing cooperation in addressing regional crises.

He added that cooperation between Turkey and Qatar has become a model to be emulated in dealing with regional issues, from Lebanon and Afghanistan to Sudan, Gaza, the Palestinian cause, and the Iranian file.

Fidan stated that Gulf countries, led by Qatar, have made significant progress in recent years in the fields of development, services, and infrastructure.

He touched on the war between the United States and Iran, stressing that it negatively affects the region's economy and that its expansion could lead to greater crises.

The Turkish minister added: "I am pleased to see that Qatar is still doing everything it can to resolve this crisis, using all constructive channels and means."

He continued: "We hope to receive positive news in the coming days. Turkey is also closely coordinating with Qatar in this regard."

Fidan affirmed that Qatar's security and stability, as well as the security and stability of the entire region, serve Turkey's interests.

On June 18, Washington and Tehran signed a memorandum of understanding that included a ceasefire, and began negotiations mediated by Pakistan and Qatar to end the aggression launched by the United States and Israel on Iran on February 28.

However, US President Donald Trump announced on July 8 the end of the ceasefire due to renewed escalation, after Tehran attacked three ships the day before while they were transiting the Strait of Hormuz, claiming they did not comply with the navigation route it had set, prompting Washington to respond with attacks on sites inside Iran.

Washington supports the passage of commercial ships through the Strait of Hormuz on a route different from that set by Iran, which Tehran rejects, asserting that it targets any ship that does not coordinate with it before crossing the strategic strait for global energy supplies.