Qatari Emir thanks Iran for support in Gulf crisis

Qatar’s Emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, on Thursday personally thanked Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani for his country’s support during Doha’s crisis, which has seen the emirate boycotted by neighboring former allies.

In a telephone conversation, Sheikh Tamim and the Iranian leader also discussed ways of “boosting” relations between the two countries, according to a statement from Qatar News Agency.

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The emir “expressed his gratitude to the Iranian president for Iran’s stance towards the siege imposed on Qatar and its contribution to alleviate its economic impacts, particularly by opening its airspace and territorial waters”, said QNA.

Qatar was boycotted by the Arab quartet including Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Bahrain and the UAE last June due to its funding of terrorist activities in the region. Flights belonging to Qatar has been banned from using the airspace of boycotting countries, leaving the emirate reliant on Iran.

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Commerce between the two countries is increasing, Tehran said recently that trade had risen by $250 million in the 12 months to March as Doha becomes more reliant upon Iranian imports such as food products.

Iran has even offered to help Qatar with facilities during the 2022 football World Cup, which will be hosted by the emirate. It has offered its island of Kish to be used as a training camp during the tournament. QNA said the telephone call was used to exchange greetings for Ramadan, the month of fasting which began on Thursday.