Beyond US Protection? Qatar Pushes Regional Security Framework With Iran: 'Our Aim Is That They Flourish'

Published 24 June 2026 · world

Beyond US Protection? Qatar Pushes Regional Security Framework With Iran: 'Our Aim Is That They Flourish' Published By, Last Updated: June 24, 2026, 16:38 IST

Beyond US Protection? Qatar Pushes Regional Security Framework With Iran: 'Our Aim Is That They Flourish' Published By, Last Updated: June 24, 2026, 16:38 IST The Qatari premier also stressed that Doha wanted Iran's economy to recover and grow, saying: "Our aim is that Iran flourishes and their economy grows." Rapid Read Qatar's PM and Minister for Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani delivers a speech during a quadrilateral meeting between the United States, Iran, Pakistan and Qatar at the Burgenstock luxury hotel complex near Lake Lucerne, Switzerland. (IMAGE: AFP) Qatar’s Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani has proposed a new regional security framework involving Iran, saying Gulf countries are seeking to build stability through cooperation rather than relying solely on external powers. Speaking to the Financial Times, Sheikh Mohammed said regional countries were working to create a security arrangement with Iran that could eventually be backed by deeper economic cooperation.

“Part of what we are doing now, as regional countries, is to create this regional security framework between us and Iran," he said. “That will hopefully have economic co-operation in the future between all of us — to bring the region back to stability." The Qatari premier also stressed that Doha wanted Iran’s economy to recover and grow, saying: “Our aim is that Iran flourishes and their economy grows." Tehran responded positively to the proposal. Iran’s chief negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said the Islamic republic was prepared to enter security arrangements with neighbouring Islamic countries, particularly states bordering the Persian Gulf, provided such agreements were reinforced by lasting economic partnerships. “Iran stands ready to enter into security arrangements with Islamic nations, particularly the countries bordering the Persian Gulf, on the condition that such agreements are reinforced by lasting economic partnerships," Ghalibaf said.

The remarks are significant because Qatar occupies a unique position in the region, maintaining close ties with both Washington and Tehran. The Gulf state hosts the Al Udeid Air Base, the largest US military installation in West Asia, while simultaneously sharing the world’s largest natural gas reservoir with Iran. The offshore field — known as North Field in Qatar and South Pars in Iran — straddles the maritime boundary between the two countries. It is widely regarded as the world’s largest natural gas field and remains one of the strongest economic links between Doha and Tehran. The proposal also comes months after the US-Iran war exposed the vulnerability of Gulf energy infrastructure. Attacks on facilities linked to the shared gas field rattled global energy markets. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit About the Author Shankhyaneel Sarkar Shankhyaneel Sarkar is a senior subeditor at News18.