DOHA, April 21 (Xinhua) -- Qatar backs extending the ceasefire between the United States and Iran until a solution is reached, a Qatari official said Tuesday, warning that any closure of the Strait of Hormuz will escalate the current crisis from a regional issue to a global one.
"If no agreement is reached, Qatar supports extending the ceasefire until a solution is reached," Qatari Foreign Ministry spokesperson Majed Al-Ansari told a media briefing.
Al-Ansari reiterated Qatar's call for ending the conflict and returning to negotiations, cautioning that further escalation would negatively impact regional security and the global economy.
He expressed Qatar's full support for Pakistan-led mediation efforts, noting Qatar's continued coordination with Islamabad and communication with relevant parties, including the United States, to support efforts toward a peaceful resolution.
Al-Ansari also stressed that ensuring freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz is a shared international responsibility, given the waterway's vital role in energy supplies, logistics chains, and global trade.
He reaffirmed Qatar's commitment as a reliable energy partner and its coordination with partners to preserve maritime security and market stability.
A two-week U.S.-Iran ceasefire took effect on April 8, after which the two sides held their first round of peace talks in Pakistan's Islamabad that yielded no results. An expected second round on Tuesday in Pakistan now seems increasingly uncertain amid a nearing ceasefire deadline, as Tehran has not decided whether to participate and Washington has put its delegation's Pakistan trip on hold.
While Iran and mediator Pakistan said the ceasefire expires on Tuesday night, the United States said it ends a day later. ■
