Qatar, France call for opening of Hormuz and Gaza ceasefire implementation

Qatar and France have called for freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz and the implementation of the so-called ceasefire in Gaza, after the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, met French President Emmanuel Macron in Doha. A joint statement on Wednesday said the two leaders stressed the importance of restoring freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz “without constraints or fees”. Qatari mediator Ibrahim bin Sultan Al Hashmi had said on Tuesday that diplomatic efforts are ongoing to de-escalate regional tensions and reopen the Strait of Hormuz, while Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on Wednesday that “Iran is prepared to give diplomacy another chance.