Rouhani criticizes US in call with Qatari Emir after Iranian FM Zarif in Doha

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif traveled to Doha on Sunday to meet with Qatari officials, according to the Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA).

Earlier on Sunday, Fars News Agency posted in a tweet that Zarif met with the spokesman of the Iranian-backed Houthi militia, Mohammed Abdul Salam, in Tehran.

After the meeting, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani spoke with the Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani on Sunday, according to the semi-official Fars news agency.

Fars reported that Rouhani said the US and other countries seek to instil insecurity in the region through their actions in the Arabian Gulf, adding: “These actions further complicate regional issues and make them more dangerous.”

“History has shown that foreign intervention only leads to more tension and further complications in the region,” he said during the phone call.

“Tehran believes that reducing tensions is in everyone’s interest,” said Rouhani, adding: “We hope that the Americans realize that the path they have chosen is wrong; this path will have no winner and they must fix their behaviour.”

During the phone call, Sheikh Tamim stressed that Qatar welcomes the expansion of relations with the Islamic Republic in all fields, according to Fars.

Qatar News Agency tweeted a picture of Sheikh Tamim holding a letter and sitting with FM Zarif, saying that the Qatari Emir received a letter from the Iranian President on bilateral relations between the two countries and ways to improve and strengthen it, in addition to several regional and international issues.

The tweet added that FM Zarif delivered the letter during his reception in the Gulf country.