Germany, Iran call for direct talks in Qatar crisis

By Ayhan Simsek

BERLIN (AA) - German and Iranian foreign ministers on Tuesday called for direct talks between the Arab states and Qatar to find a diplomatic solution to the Gulf crisis.

Speaking at a joint news conference in Berlin, German Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel urged all sides in Qatar crisis to avoid further escalation and seek solution at a negotiation table.

"We hope that all parties involved would enter into direct talks as quickly as possible. Further escalation would be in nobody's interest," he said.

Gabriel warned that continued tensions between Qatar and its neighbors would further deepen fault lines in the region.

Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif voiced support for Gabriel's appeal for direct talks between Qatar and the Arab states.

"Our region cannot tolerate any further escalation," he said, calling for a political solution to the crisis.

Earlier this month, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Yemen abruptly cut diplomatic relations with Qatar, accusing it of interfering into domestic affairs of other countries in the region and supporting terrorist groups.

They also imposed a land, sea, and air blockade on Qatar.

The Qatari government has strongly rejected these accusations and stressed that the blockade was in violation of international law.