Turkey and Qatar Propose New Regional Deal to US Amid Middle East Tensions
The Lebanese newspaper Al-Akhbar, affiliated with Hezbollah, reports on a renewed diplomatic initiative jointly proposed by Turkey and Qatar aimed at a comprehensive regional settlement. This plan was personally presented by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan to US President Donald Trump during their recent meeting in Ankara. Although details of the proposal remain undisclosed, the initiative seeks to position Turkey and Qatar as key mediators capable of leveraging their unique relationships with various regional actors to facilitate peace in the Middle East.
The meeting marked a revival of direct dialogue between Erdoğan and Trump, with Turkey aiming to restore its diplomatic standing with Washington. The Turkish-Qatari proposal appears designed to complement or circumvent existing mediation efforts, capitalizing on Qatar's financial and diplomatic influence alongside Turkey's military and geopolitical weight. Their direct access to Trump, known for favoring unconventional global deals, is a strategic advantage intended to outmaneuver other regional mediation attempts that do not align with Ankara and Doha's interests.
No official response has been issued by the White House or the Turkish presidency regarding the proposal or the US administration's receptiveness. The report's publication in a Hezbollah-linked outlet suggests that pro-Iranian factions are closely monitoring, and possibly wary of, the Turkish-Qatari engagement with the Trump administration.
Additionally, Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa reportedly raised the issue of Israeli withdrawals during his meeting with Trump, emphasizing that stability in Syria requires restoring sovereignty over all its territory. He criticized Israel for obstructing a solution in southern Syria by refusing to include the term "withdrawal" in agreements and halting negotiations when the issue was raised, questioning the rationale for signing any deal under such conditions.
