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Türkiye and Qatar called for the U.S.-Iran conflict and its regional repercussions to be resolved through dialogue and diplomacy and urged the "swift and full resumption of safe, secure and unimpeded passage through the Strait of Hormuz," in a joint communique issued Friday.
The statement followed the 12th meeting of the Türkiye-Qatar Supreme Strategic Committee in Istanbul, chaired by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, with ministers responsible for areas of cooperation under the committee’s founding 2014 memorandum.
The two sides highlighted the importance of understandings reached between Washington and Tehran, or a new agreement capable of ensuring de-escalation and lasting peace.
They reaffirmed the need to respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all regional countries, protect civilians and civilian infrastructure, and prevent threats or attacks against countries contributing to diplomatic efforts.
Both rejected any measures or restrictions disrupting lawful navigation.
The two countries welcomed the signing of a Türkiye-Qatar mutual defense agreement aimed at strengthening collective defense and establishing a common position against external armed attack on either or both.
"The two sides reaffirmed that the Agreement reflects not only the commitment of its signatories to safeguarding their sovereignty and territorial integrity, but also their shared vision of contributing to a more secure and stable regional order," the communique said.
They agreed to consult on security threats and defense policies and expand joint exercises, defense industry cooperation and personnel training exchanges.
They also welcomed the Badr memorandum signed by Türkiye, Qatar, Pakistan and Indonesia as an important step toward meeting defense needs through indigenous capabilities, including joint production, technology development, information sharing and stronger supply chains.
Both reaffirmed their commitment to combating all terrorist organizations, including the PKK/PYD/YPG, Daesh and FETO, and signed a memorandum on cooperation in peace, reconciliation and conflict resolution.
Türkiye and Qatar agreed to coordinate humanitarian aid to Gaza and support early recovery and reconstruction, calling for full, safe and unhindered access and urgent action as winter flash floods worsen living conditions.
They demanded the immediate and unconditional release of detained aid workers and U.N. personnel.
They expressed concern over Israeli actions undermining the Gaza ceasefire and strongly condemned settlement activity, settler violence, land confiscation and forced displacement in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem.
They reaffirmed that the entire 144-dunam Al-Aqsa compound is exclusively a Muslim place of worship, recognizing the special role of the Hashemite custodianship, condemned measures affecting Hebron’s Ibrahimi Mosque and backed a Palestinian state on June 4, 1967, borders with East Jerusalem as its capital, along with continued support for UNRWA.
The two countries backed Syria’s government in restoring stability and called for a firm international stance to halt Israeli violations, respect the 1974 Disengagement Agreement and secure Israel’s withdrawal from occupied Syrian territory.
On Lebanon, they condemned Israeli violations of its sovereignty, called for implementation of Resolution 1701 and Israel’s withdrawal, and stressed the need to prevent a security vacuum after the planned withdrawal of U.N. peacekeepers.
They condemned Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia and on shipping in the Red Sea and Bab el-Mandeb, urging the group to "immediately cease their attacks and return to the political process in good faith," and backed mediation in Sudan.
They also supported Iraq’s efforts to strengthen state authority, a U.N.-backed Libyan political process, the territorial integrity of Somalia and Horn of Africa states, and a "just, lasting, sustainable and mutually acceptable settlement of the Cyprus issue."
The two sides reiterated a target of $5 billion in bilateral trade, noting that Turkish contractors have undertaken 206 projects in Qatar worth $20.8 billion.
They highlighted the Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement, signed in 2018 and in force since Aug. 1, 2025, and agreed to hold the seventh Joint Economic and Technical Cooperation Commission and the second Joint Economic and Trade Committee meeting in Doha.
They pledged closer cooperation in banking, finance, logistics and energy, especially liquefied natural gas, as well as education, health, culture, artificial intelligence, quantum technologies, cybersecurity, satellite communications and climate under COP31.
They welcomed an education agreement and discussed a possible joint scholarship program for students from conflict-affected Muslim countries.
The 13th meeting of the committee will be held in Qatar by 2027, the communique said, as Türkiye and Qatar press for Iran diplomacy.
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