US Special Representative for Iran, Brian Hook
Doha: The US Special Representative for Iran, Brian Hook, has said that the Gulf dispute has continued too long and it ultimately harms United States’ shared regional interests in stability, prosperity, and security.
He further said that Qatar shares strong ties with the United States and has made a great contribution to peace and stability in the region. Brian Hook, the US Special Representative for Iran and Senior Adviser to Secretary of State, during a visit to the region was in Qatar and also met with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, H E Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, yesterday.
“It is a pleasure to be here in Doha, where I met earlier with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs H E Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani. Qatar is a great friend to the United States, and my lunch meeting with H E Sheikh Mohammed was wide-ranging and productive,” Hook said while speaking to journalists in a virtual press conference.
He said that while Iran was the main focus of his discussions with H E Sheikh Mohammad and they also discussed a range of other topics including the Gulf rift. “President Trump and Secretary Pompeo continue to stress the importance of unity among the GCC members. The dispute has continued too long and it ultimately harms our shared regional interests in stability, prosperity, and security. The United States will continue to stress the benefits of cooperation with all GCC members and support steps to rebuild trust and unity,” said Hook. “Bringing an end to this dispute will really advance the collective interests of all parties to this conflict,” he added.
Hook emphasised on the importance of Kuwaiti mediation to solve the Gulf dispute and expressed hope that the crisis will end soon.
Answering a question on Qatar’s role in the region’s stability by giving priority to dialogue, Hook said: “Well, Qatar is a base for US forces. And through that it very much contributes to greater peace and stability in the region. Qatar is a partner across a range of security issues. But we also have very deep economic, diplomatic cooperation and cultural ties. It is always a very good and productive to be in Qatar.”
Prior to his arrival in Qatar, Hook had visited UN Security Council member Tunisia and will travel to Kuwait.
“Before arriving in Qatar, I was in Tunisia for consultations with the President’s office and the Foreign Minister. Tunisia currently sits in the Security Council and I used the opportunity to discuss our shared interests at the United Nations,” he said. “I am back in the region today to advance the Administration’s priority of extending the UN arms embargo on Iran, which expires in October. I have spoken with leaders here in the Gulf and throughout the world,” he added.
