DOHA, Aug 4: Efforts to resolve the ongoing Iran war are reportedly in "very progressive stages," Qatar's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Majed al-Ansari said on Tuesday, adding that draft proposals for a potential agreement are currently in circulation between the two parties.
Responding to questions about conflicting statements emerging from Washington and Tehran regarding the status of negotiations, al-Ansari said mediation efforts are ongoing despite the absence of direct talks.
"We can confirm that the efforts are still ongoing with all the parties. We are looking towards a diplomatic resolution as we are speaking right now," he told reporters.
Al-Ansari said there were "current efforts on the ground" aimed at resolving the crisis and described the mediation process as being in "very progressive stages."
"We are working with all the parties to see this effort. So, I can confirm that the efforts are ongoing as we speak," he added, CNN reported.
The spokesperson said countries across the region were coordinating closely to support diplomacy, with Qatar working alongside Oman to facilitate indirect contacts between Washington and Tehran.
"We are coordinating very closely with Oman to facilitate the talks between both sides and exchanging ideas and exchanging drafts between both sides," he said.
According to al-Ansari, negotiators have already prepared draft language for a possible agreement.
"Drafts are always being exchanged... I can tell you that language has been drafted on a possible agreement and is being circulated between the parties," he said.
He noted that mediators are currently focused on securing a short-term arrangement that could pave the way for renewed negotiations.
"Right now, we don't have anything on the books when it comes to direct talks," al-Ansari said.
"We are hopeful that if we can get a resumption of the talks anytime soon, we'd be able to push forward towards a major deal that would help us walk back into a situation of peace in our region."
His comments come after US President Donald Trump had announced on Saturday that he called off planned strikes on Iran after he threatened heavy retaliation against Tehran, stating that the US was "locked and loaded and ready" to attack Iran "at levels of Military Terror, Strength, and Power not seen since World War II."
Despite this, he said, "I have agreed, for the future benefit of the WORLD and, likewise, the survival of a successful and prosperous Iran, to cancel the attack, subject to being able to rapidly make a DEAL." (UNI)
