Ankara: Qatari Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani met with his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi in Tehran on Thursday, according to Iran's Foreign Ministry. The ministry released images from the meeting but did not immediately provide details of the discussions.

According to Anadolu Agency, the visit to Tehran by Sheikh Mohammed, who is also Qatar's prime minister, came as Doha continued efforts to de-escalate tensions between Iran and the US. Ahead of the visit, Qatari Foreign Ministry spokesman Majed Al Ansari stated that Sheikh Mohammed would meet Iranian officials to discuss ways to reduce tensions and create conditions conducive to dialogue.

He further indicated that the talks would address freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz and the need to restore the waterway to the status quo that existed before February 28. The visit marks the Qatari foreign minister's first trip to Iran since the conflict between Washington and Tehran began, following US and Israeli strikes on Iran in late February.

The tensions have been a point of international concern, with a memorandum of understanding signed between the US and Iran in June, following mediation by Pakistan and Qatar. However, its implementation has stalled due to differences over the Strait of Hormuz. Recently, the US resumed military attacks on Iran, prompting Tehran to retaliate by striking US military assets in Arab countries aligned with Washington.