How Qatar helped broker the Israel-Iran ceasefire
If the Iranian government was set on targeting American soldiers in the Gulf, it may have viewed the base in Qatar as less likely to provoke an escalation or damage its relations with some other Gulf Arab countries, which had been warming in recent years.
The wealthy emirate of Qatar has generally maintained closer ties with Iran than most of the other Persian Gulf countries. It has also played a leading role in mediating between Israel and Hamas, the Iran-backed Palestinian militant group, since the war in the Gaza Strip began in October 2023.
If Iran had attacked another Persian Gulf nation, it might have run into more complicated territory.
The headquarters of the US Navy's 5th Fleet, in Bahrain, and Saudi Arabia's oil installations could also have become targets. But Iran's diplomatic relations with these two other Persian Gulf nations are still new and relatively shaky.
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The United Arab Emirates is one of Iran's largest trading partners, offering Iran a vital link to the global economy as it navigates long-standing Western sanctions. The prospect of missiles flying over Dubai, a glitzy metropolis in the UAE, would have alienated a neighbour that Iran depends on.
Qatari officials intervened with Iran on behalf of the Trump administration, according to three diplomats briefed on the matter, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive diplomacy. They said that Trump had told the emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, that Israel had signed off on a US ceasefire proposal.
The president had asked Qatar to help bring Iran on board, the diplomats said. The Qatari prime minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, then persuaded Iran to agree to the truce proposal by late Monday in a call with the Iranian leadership, the diplomats said.
A senior White House official, who requested anonymity because they were not authorised to discuss the negotiations publicly, said the Qatari emir played a role in the ceasefire discussions.
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The truce took effect early Tuesday morning and appeared to be holding as evening approached.
Qatar's handling of the crisis illustrated the value the wealthy Persian Gulf emirate puts in its relationship with the United States, said Hopton, the former British diplomat.
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