Oil prices fell sharply on Friday following reports that Qatar's prime minister warned Iran against launching an attack on Israel while sensitive cease-fire and hostage negotiations are ongoing. According to NBC News, the Qatari leader, Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, urged restraint during a phone call with Iranian officials, stressing that any military action could derail diplomatic efforts aimed at brokering a ceasefire and securing the release of hostages held by Hamas.
The warning comes as ceasefire discussions enter their second day in Doha, where talks have focused on a potential six-week truce in Gaza and a partial withdrawal of Israeli forces in exchange for the release of hostages taken during the Oct. 7 attacks. Two diplomats told The Washington Post that the Qatari prime minister emphasized the risks of escalating tensions, with one source stating that Al Thani "encouraged Iran to de-escalate and stressed the need for calm." Another diplomat noted that the Qatari leader specifically cautioned that an attack on Israel could undermine ongoing negotiations.
