His Majesty King Hamad has emphasised the importance of continuing diplomatic efforts that support peace and stability as well as enhance opportunities for development and prosperity in the region and the world.
The King was speaking during a conference call last night between US President Donald Trump and leaders of friendly countries, including the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Egypt, Türkiye, Pakistan and India, to discuss regional and international developments.
During the call, His Majesty and the US President discussed the efforts made to reach a deal between the United States and Iran, amid the intensive diplomatic action taking place in the region and the need to promote dialogue and consultations to foster regional security and stability.
After their call, President Trump wrote on social media that a memorandum of understanding on a peace deal with Iran was ‘largely negotiated’, as both countries and mediators in Pakistan reported progress.
Trump posted on social media that the emerging agreement would reopen the Strait of Hormuz, the vital shipping passage whose closure upended global energy markets after the conflict started in February when the US and Israel launched strikes on Iran.
His Majesty expressed his thanks to the US President for supporting efforts aimed at strengthening stability and advancing understanding among the concerned parties.
He also praised the efforts undertaken by Pakistan to reach a memorandum of understanding that achieves consensus among all parties.
The King expressed hope that these diplomatic efforts would contribute to consolidating regional peace, security and stability.
In his post, Trump did not say what else would be included in an agreement.
“Final aspects and details of the Deal are currently being discussed, and will be announced shortly,” Trump said.
Iran had said earlier in the day that it was working towards a memorandum of understanding laying out an approach to ending the war after its top officials met with Asim Munir, the army chief of Pakistan.
The Pakistani army said the negotiations had resulted in ‘encouraging’ progress towards a final understanding. Two Pakistani sources involved in negotiations said the deal being negotiated is ‘fairly comprehensive to terminate the war’.
Sources have told Reuters the proposed framework would unfold in three stages: formally ending the war, resolving the crisis in the Strait of Hormuz and launching a 30-day window for negotiations on a broader agreement, which can be extended.
Earlier, Trump told Axios that he expected to decide today whether to resume attacks on Iran. “Either we reach a good deal or I’ll blow them to a thousand hells,” Axios quoted him as saying.
One of the Pakistani sources said there was no guarantee the US would accept the memorandum; if it does it would lead to further talks after the Eid holiday ends on Friday.
Trump, whose approval ratings have been hit by the war’s impact on energy prices for US consumers, said on Friday he would not attend his son’s wedding this weekend, citing Iran among the reasons he planned to stay in Washington.
Trump later wrote on his Truth Social platform that he had a phone call with leaders from Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the UAE, Jordan, Egypt, Türkiye and Pakistan.
Axios reported that the leaders encouraged Trump to agree to the emerging framework.
Pakistan has aimed to narrow differences between Iran and the US after weeks of war have left the vital Hormuz waterway closed to most shipping despite a nervous ceasefire.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio earlier reiterated Trump’s terms for ending the fighting. “Iran can never have a nuclear weapon. The straits need to be open without tolls. They need to turn over their enriched uranium.”
Rubio, who is visiting India, said some progress had been made and work was continuing.
“Even as I speak to you now, there’s some work being done. There is a chance that, whether it’s later today, tomorrow, in a couple days, we may have something to say,” Rubio told reporters in New Delhi last night.
US Vice President JD Vance returned to the White House yesterday, cutting short a trip to Ohio.
Iran denies it is pursuing nuclear weapons and says it has a right to enrich uranium for civilian purposes. It has demanded supervision of the strait, an end to the US blockade on its ports and the lifting of sanctions on Iranian oil sales.
“The trend this week has been towards a reduction in disputes, but there are still issues that need to be discussed through mediators. We will have to wait and see where the situation ends in the next three or four days,” said Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei.
Baghaei said the issue of the US blockade on Iran’s shipping was important, but that its priority was ending the threat of new US attacks and the ongoing conflict in Lebanon, where Hizbollah is fighting Israeli troops who have moved into the south.
Pakistan’s army chief Munir left Tehran after talks with Iran’s top negotiator Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf and Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi.
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