6 Arab foreign ministers discuss steps to sustain US-Iran ceasefire

The foreign ministers of six Arab countries held a series of phone calls to discuss ways of sustaining the ongoing ceasefire between the United States and Iran.

The talks between the top diplomats of Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Qatar, Egypt and Jordan focused on reinforcing the truce, which has been in effect since April 8, and supporting efforts to revive negotiations between Washington and Tehran.

In a statement, the Saudi Foreign Ministry said Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan spoke by phone with Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan of the UAE and Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani of Qatar on Tuesday.

He also received calls Monday from Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Sheikh Jarrah Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah and Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty, the ministry added.

The discussions addressed regional developments, their implications and ongoing diplomatic efforts, as well as ways to strengthen regional and international security and stability, according to the Saudi statement.

Qatar’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement that Sheikh Mohammed and bin Farhan reviewed the latest developments, particularly the US-Iran ceasefire, stressing the need to maintain it to bolster security and stability.

They emphasized the importance of strengthening coordination and intensifying joint efforts to halt escalation, paving the way to address the root causes of the crisis through peaceful means and dialogue, and ultimately reaching a final agreement that achieves lasting peace, the Qatari statement said.

Qatar also said similar discussions took place between Sheikh Mohammed and Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi, reaffirming the same positions.

The UAE Foreign Ministry said Abdullah bin Zayed discussed the two-week ceasefire between the US and Iran with his Kuwaiti counterpart, underscoring the need for unified international efforts to establish lasting peace in the region.

The statements came after the US and Iran held rare direct talks in Islamabad, Pakistan, on Saturday aimed at ending their current conflict, which started after the US and Israel launched a joint offensive against Tehran on Feb. 28, prompting Iran to launch retaliatory attacks targeting Israel, Iraq, Jordan and Gulf countries hosting US military assets.

The talks, however, ended early Sunday without any agreement.

*Writing by Lina Altawell