Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of fueling instability across the Middle East and called for an immediate end to Israel’s military presence in southern Lebanon, warning that continued escalation threatens efforts to secure a broader regional peace.

In interviews with Al Jazeera and the Financial Times, Al Thani said Israel’s actions in Lebanon, Gaza, and Syria have contributed to rising tensions at a time when regional and international actors are working to contain conflicts and advance diplomatic solutions.

“Unfortunately, this is not the first time that Prime Minister Netanyahu has created such circumstances,” Al Thani said. “The continued occupation of Lebanese territory must end immediately, and Lebanon's sovereignty must be respected.”

He argued that Israel has pursued policies that have intensified regional tensions over the past two years.

“Since 2024, Israel has continued to occupy parts of Lebanon and expand its presence there, in addition to its unlawful presence in Syria and its continued advance inside Syrian territory, as well as its failure to withdraw from the Gaza Strip,” he said.

“Unfortunately, these actions contribute to further escalation in the region, while we are doing everything possible to extinguish these fires.”

Al Thani's remarks came after Qatar played a central mediating role in facilitating a U.S.-Iran memorandum of understanding signed in Switzerland, which paved the way for negotiations aimed at reaching a permanent peace agreement and easing tensions across several regional fronts.

The Qatari premier said the agreement led to the creation of a new mechanism designed to monitor and preserve the ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah. The arrangement includes Iran and is intended to prevent incidents from escalating into broader confrontations.

“If an incident occurs in Lebanon, or there are indications that one may occur, it can be addressed before it develops,” he said.

He stressed that the ceasefire must be implemented fully and consistently to prevent a return to violence.

“The ceasefire must be implemented clearly and properly to avoid a repeat of what we witnessed over the past three days. It is unacceptable that around 100 people have been killed in Lebanon over the course of three days while Israeli attacks continue,” he added.

According to Al Thani, the U.S.-Iran memorandum was the product of extensive diplomatic efforts involving multiple regional and international actors.

“The agreement was the result of tremendous efforts and weeks of continuous work with our partners in Pakistan, supported by regional countries and our international partners,” he said.

He acknowledged that significant challenges emerged between the signing of the agreement and the launch of formal negotiations.

“We faced challenges in the period between the signing of the agreement and the start of the first round of negotiations. These challenges were mainly related to Lebanon and the Strait of Hormuz, and we have established mechanisms to prevent such problems from recurring,” he said.

Al Thani said discussions between Washington and Tehran cover several issues, particularly Iran’s nuclear program, while regional security matters are also expected to be addressed with neighboring countries.

“We are coordinating with our colleagues in the Gulf Cooperation Council, in addition to the issue of the strait, for which a permanent solution must be found in line with the GCC’s vision,” he said.

He warned that renewed conflict anywhere in the region could jeopardize diplomatic progress.

“Any escalation anywhere in the region, whether in Lebanon or elsewhere, will affect the negotiations,” he said.

Speaking to the Financial Times, Al Thani said Israel had responded disproportionately to clashes rather than pursuing de-escalation and revealed additional details about the Lebanon ceasefire mechanism.

He said efforts to prevent renewed fighting are being coordinated among Beirut, Washington, Tehran, and international mediators, and include procedures to verify compliance with ceasefire commitments.

The Swiss talks, he said, laid the foundation for negotiations aimed at reaching a permanent settlement, though the process remains at an early stage.

Al Thani added that the broader objective extends beyond resolving immediate disputes and seeks to establish a new regional security architecture involving Iran and neighboring states.

He also highlighted ongoing discussions concerning the Strait of Hormuz, stressing that any long-term framework governing the strategic waterway should involve Iran, Oman, and Gulf states.

The strait remains open, he said, adding that participants in the talks have received assurances that no decision has been made to close it.

According to Al Thani, maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz is expected to return to normal levels within 30 days of the agreement.

He further emphasized the importance of establishing the direct communication channel agreed upon in Switzerland between Washington and Tehran, saying it would help prevent disruptions to shipping through the strait, counter misinformation, and support demining operations.

Looking ahead, Al Thani said Gulf countries could eventually be invited to participate in an investment fund involving Iran, reflecting broader efforts to integrate economic cooperation into the emerging diplomatic framework.