CHAIRMAN: DR. KHALID BIN THANI AL THANI
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: PROF. KHALID MUBARAK AL-SHAFI

Qatar / General

Qatar says US-Iran negotiations need 'more time'

Published: 19 May 2026 - 04:09 pm | Last Updated: 19 May 2026 - 04:16 pm
Qatari foreign ministry spokesman Majed al-Ansari

Qatari foreign ministry spokesman Majed al-Ansari

AFP

Doha, Qatar: Qatar said on Tuesday that US-Iran negotiations, mediated by Pakistan, required more time to reach a deal, a day after President Donald Trump said he had postponed planned attacks to give the process a chance.

"We are supportive of the diplomatic effort by Pakistan that has shown seriousness in bringing parties together and finding a solution, and we do believe it needs more time," Qatari foreign ministry spokesman Majed al-Ansari said at a press conference.

Trump, who had indefinitely extended the truce and made clear he wanted to exit the war, said on Monday he had prepared a new military attack for the following day after Iran rejected his outlines of a deal.

But on Monday, Trump said on social media that he had suspended the planned military attack. 

"We want to protect the people of the region from being basically the main losers of any escalation in the region," al-Ansari said.