Blessed are the Peacemakers: Parliamentarians warn against attacks that are jeopardising US-Iran Peace Deal

As diplomatic efforts to bridge the divide between Washington and Tehran reach a critical juncture in Muscat and Doha, a growing chorus of UK parliamentarians are urging restraint and warning that military escalations are directly undermining the mediators’ work.

The urgency in Westminster follows a remarkable intervention in Doha, by HE Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani, Qatar’s Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, who has expressed profound alarm, at the recent attacks on his country.

Describing recent Iranian attacks on Gulf mediators as a “betrayal,” in a blunt assessment, he “totally rejected” Tehran’s justifications, revealing that strikes have targeted not just military sites but critical civilian infrastructure—including energy installations, industrial complexes, and even drinking water systems.

Sheikh Mohammed noted that even as negotiators were working on de-escalation, massive attacks were launched against the UAE, Bahrain, and Qatar itself. “We never expected this to come to come from our neighbour. We were always building this relationship in preserving the good neighbour and relationship in a good faith with Iran. Unfortunately, there are like some justifications and pretext that they’ve been using to justify these attacks on the State of Qatar and other countries, which is totally rejected.”

Despite the “huge shake-up for trust,” Qatari officials have confirmed they will continue seeking dialogue. Meanwhile, UK lawmakers are praising the “outstanding support” of the UK-Qatar joint squadron in defending the region, as the Palace of Westminster increasingly views these Gulf partners as the last line of defence against a wider global crisis.

Leading the charge from Westminster was Dame Emily Thornberry (Labour) who warned that these attacks place Qatar and Oman in an “impossible position.” Thornberry argued that these countries are providing the only viable “off ramps” for a conflict that otherwise risks engulfing the region, questioning the legality of actions that target sovereign mediation hubs.

John Grady MP, Chair of the All Party Parliament Group on Qatar commented: “As the Chancellor emphasised yesterday, we need to encourage de-escalation of the conflict in the Middle East. Qatar is one of Britain’s closest allies. We have a strong relationship and work closely on diplomacy, defence and security matters and economic issues. I fully back the UK’s steadfast support for Qatar. The Prime Minister of Qatar, HE Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim bin Jaber Al Thani is clear that the UK has provided outstanding support.

Qatar plays a critical role in conflict mediation and de-escalation. I view it as reprehensible that Qatar has suffered from attacks from Iran. I condemn these attacks in the strongest terms.”

Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper, who has been firm in her refusal to align the UK with offensive US-led strikes, emphasised that the government is focused on learning from “past mistakes”—a reference to the Iraq invasion. Cooper maintains that supporting the mediation efforts of Doha and Muscat is the only path to a sustainable settlement.

While Baroness Crawley, a member of the influential House of Lords International Relations and Defence Committee, commented “Iran attacking Oman and Qatar is like thugs attacking fire officers when they are called out to a rapidly escalating fire.”

“Oman and Qatar have been peace-making in the Gulf long before President Trump decided to take a break from ‘The Apprentice’ to become US President and in that time they have learnt a thing or two about taking the long view and not a knee jerk reaction to provocation, because of hosting US military bases or allowing access to Omani military facilities.”

Adding to the concerns, but noting the comments made last night by President Trump that the war could “end very soon” former Foreign Office Minister, and respected Middle East expert, Lord Tariq Ahmad of Wimbledon told parliamentnews.co.uk “At a time when the world faces the reality of a deepening conflict beyond Iran with Israel’s bombing of Beirut , we have seen in the last 24 hours, new statements from President Trump suggesting that the end of the US/Israel war on Iran may be in sight. This is welcome and has, to some extent, calmed volatility in global markets. This is coupled with the influence being exerted on the US by the Gulf nations, who are engaged in an intense level of diplomacy and have refused to be involved in any offensive actions or attacks on Iran, notwithstanding the targeting of their soil by Iranian drones and missiles, beyond US bases.

“We have seen Oman’s Foreign Minister Sayed Badr bin Hamad, continue his calls for an end to the conflict and a return to diplomacy. Let us not forget he was the crucial bridge to the Iranians, leading negotiations , prior to the start of the war, working with US interlocutors, namely Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff. The war was therefore, in terms of escalation and timing, surprising to many across the region due to the progress that was being made in these talks , a sentiment shared across many European and other world capitals.

“However, despite the daily barrage of drones and missiles , we have seen strong leadership on the ground by all Gulf leaders rallying national sentiment but also importantly renewing calls for deescalation and a return to the diplomatic track. Thes calls are not just led by Oman, but also notably Qatar, the UAE and Saudi Arabia. And another key player in these diplomatic efforts, is Bahrain, the current Chairman of the Gulf Cooperation Council and importantly the serving Arab nation on the UN Security Council.

“Yet crucial issues remain unresolved. The US now seem focused on obtaining the enriched uranium in Iran, unobtainable without boots on the ground. What will be the approach of, and of the US to, the new Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, son has replaced his father, but not the regime change the Americans envisaged or wanted at the start of this war. And of course, let us not forget Palestine and Israel. Gaza remains in ruins, increasing parts of the West Bank continue to be annexed and despite words and conferences, one of the most fundamental sources of grievances is the unresolved question, to many across the region and beyond, what of the reality (or lack of) the two-state solution.”