Qatar receives Iran FM in Doha

Qatari Foreign Minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani yesterday received his Iranian counterpart, Mohammad Jawad Zarif in Doha.

The two ministers discussed bilateral relations and ways to strengthen and develop them, the official Qatar News Agency reported.

The two ministers also discussed the latest developments in the Gulf crisis and Kuwaiti mediation efforts as well as the latest developments in the region.

Earlier in the day, the Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad received the Iranian foreign minister and discussed with him bilateral relations and regional issues, Iran’s official IRNA news agency reported.

Zarif arrived in Doha on Monday in the first visit by a senior Iranian official since the Gulf crisis began on 5 June. He arrived from the Omani capital, Muscat, where he met with the country’s leader Sultan Qaboos and his Omani counterpart, Yusuf bin Alawi.

Qatar announced the restoration of diplomatic ties with Iran and the return of its ambassador to Tehran in August.

Timeline: Arab rift with Qatar

Qatar withdrew its ambassador to Iran in January 2016 after Saudi Arabia severed relations with Tehran, accusing it of failing to protect the Saudi embassy and consulate after they were stormed by Iranian demonstrators angry at Riyadh’s execution of Shia Muslim cleric Nimr Al-Nimr.

On 5 June, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain and Egypt severed ties with Doha accusing it of “supporting terrorism”. Qatar denies the charges, claiming the dispute is an attack on its sovereignty.