Iran

Iran’s Foreign Ministry has called on Qatar to exercise greater caution in its media statements, stressing that Tehran’s four-way meeting with Pakistan, Turkey, and Saudi Arabia reflects its goodwill and responsible approach toward the shared interests of regional nations. Mahmoud Maleki, head of the Public Relations Department of Iran’s Foreign Ministry, made the remarks on Tuesday night in response to comments by Ibrahim al-Hashmi, director of the Media and Communications Department at Qatar’s Foreign Ministry, regarding the visits of senior Pakistani, Turkish, and Saudi officials to Tehran.

On Tuesday, al-Hashmi said, “The ball was in Iran’s court to demonstrate its commitment to regional security principles and prove its goodwill by ending threats against regional countries and reopening the Strait of Hormuz.” The Qatari official added that although positive statements have been heard from Iran regarding a regional security mechanism, Tehran needs to demonstrate its goodwill in practice as well. Maleki said the quadrilateral meeting in Tehran was “in itself a sign of Iran’s goodwill and responsible approach toward the common interests of the peoples of the region.”

He added that the Islamic Republic expects all regional countries, including Qatar, to demonstrate reciprocal goodwill in their policies and approaches and to respect the principle of good neighborliness. Iran also expects regional countries to “seriously refrain from repeating certain actions, particularly allowing aggressors to use their territory and facilities to carry out military aggression against Iran,” Maleki said. Referring to the constructive discussions held during the quadrilateral meeting in Tehran, Maleki advised the Qatari official to exercise greater care in media comments, taking into account Qatar’s role in ongoing diplomatic processes.

The quadrilateral talks brought together Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman, Pakistani Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir, and Turkish intelligence chief Ibrahim Kalin, who were hosted by Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) Secretary Major General Mohsen Rezaei. A joint statement issued afterward said the participants agreed to continue the dialogue to strengthen cooperation among the four regional countries, including for peace and security in the region.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian separately hosted the visiting officials and underscored support for any understandings that reinforce unity and constructive cooperation among Muslim nations in West Asia. The gathering aligns with broader efforts to advance endogenous security in the region, drawing on Iran’s successful model of national security-building through indigenous capabilities and the participation of regional actors, free from foreign interference.