DOHA, Aug. 16 (Xinhua) -- Qatari Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani on Sunday reaffirmed Qatar's support for diplomatic efforts to defuse regional tensions and ensure freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz.

This photo taken on June 20, 2026 shows the Strait of Hormuz near Khasab, a small town in northern Oman. (File photo: Xinhua)

He made the remarks during three separate phone calls with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, Jordanian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Ayman Safadi, and Syrian foreign chief Asaad al-Shaibani, according to statements issued by Qatar's Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

During the calls, the Qatari prime minister urged all parties to commit to dialogue and diplomacy, honor the U.S.-Iran memorandum of understanding, ensure freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, and safeguard regional security and stability, the statements read.

The calls came a day after Qatari Foreign Ministry spokesperson Majed Al Ansari denied claims that Qatar was detaining Iranian pilots.

"We categorically deny the claims circulating regarding the detention of Iranian pilots and are surprised by these misleading statements at this particular time," Al Ansari said in a post on social media platform X.

The denial followed a claim by Iran on Saturday that Qatari forces captured three Iranian pilots whose fighter jets were shot down when returning from a military mission against a U.S. base in Qatar in March.