Qatar says contacts ongoing to bridge differences between US, Iran

DOHA - Qatar said Tuesday that meetings and contacts aimed at bridging differences between the United States and Iran are continuing, with Doha exchanging messages between the two sides and seeking to build common ground toward a peaceful settlement.

Majed Al Ansari, spokesperson for Qatar's Foreign Ministry, said at the ministry's weekly media briefing that a number of meetings and exchanges of messages had taken place in recent days, including meetings in New York.

"The effort now is focused on building common ground between the parties," Al Ansari said.

He said Qatar would continue its mediation efforts by working to narrow differences between Washington and Tehran and facilitate communication between them.

"Our role is to overcome difficulties and try to bridge the gap between the parties, and this is what is taking place now," he said, adding that meetings remained ongoing and messages continued to be conveyed between the two sides.

Al Ansari declined to disclose details on the current stage of the mediation efforts, but stressed that Qatar saw no alternative to a peaceful solution.

Qatar has maintained diplomatic efforts to revive the negotiating track between Washington and Tehran in recent months. During meetings on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York last week, Qatari officials also discussed regional de-escalation and efforts to create conditions conducive to dialogue.