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Regional tensions have been particularly high since Israel assassinated Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran on July 31.
Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani will reportedly visit Iran “in the coming days” to continue efforts to prevent further escalation in the region.
Iranian semi-official tasnim news agency Sheikh Mohammed’s visit was reported on Thursday, saying he would hold “a series of talks” with senior Iranian officials in Tehran, including newly appointed Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.
In addition to discussing “major regional issues”, senior Qatari officials will also discuss relations between Doha and Tehran, the report said.
Qatar, however, has not yet commented publicly on the reported visit.
Sheikh Mohammed’s visit to Tehran comes as Qatar continues to play a key mediation role alongside Egypt and the United States in hopes of reaching a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.
A round of talks was held in Doha on August 15-16, but the negotiations have been deadlocked for months and no breakthrough has been achieved.
Israel’s war in the Gaza Strip has lasted for more than 10 months, killing at least 40,265 people in the Gaza Strip. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has repeatedly refused to end the war and fully withdraw from Gaza.
A new round of talks is scheduled to take place in Cairo this week, but Egyptian officials told Associated Press (AP) Hamas said on Thursday it would not agree to the latest transition proposal, citing Israel’s refusal to fully withdraw from the Gaza Strip and end the war.
“The Americans gave promises, not guarantees,” one official told the Associated Press.
They added: “Hamas will not accept this as it effectively means that Hamas will release civilian hostages in exchange for a six-week ceasefire with no guarantee of a permanent negotiated ceasefire.”
The war sparked regional conflict including along the Israel-Lebanon border and the Red Sea.
Regional tensions have been particularly high since Israel assassinated Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran on July 31 and Hezbollah commander Fuad Shukur in Beirut on July 30.
Israel has so far neither confirmed nor denied the killing of Haniyeh, despite international condemnation, including from mediators Qatar and Egypt.
Iran and Hezbollah have since vowed to retaliate against Israel, raising fears of a regional war.
Last week, Qatari Prime Minister Call up Held talks with then-Iranian Acting Foreign Minister Ali Bagheri Khaani to discuss the latest developments in mediation efforts.
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