Qatar and its Persian Gulf neighbour, the Islamic Republic of Iran, have an illustrious history dating back centuries. However, bilateral relations became formal after Qatar’s independence. Both countries have, over the years, built strong economic, social, cultural, and security relations based on mutual interests and support for global peace and stability. Moreover, Doha and Tehran signed in 2010 a security agreement designed to combat terrorism and promote security cooperation.
Qatar and Iran also share the world’s largest natural gas field, the North Dome/South Pars. Most notably, Iranian exports to Qatar jumped from around $60m between 2016 and 2017 to $250m between 2017 and 2018. Besides, a total of 967,503 tonnes of commodities worth $117.13m were exported from Iran to Qatar from March 21, 2021 to January 20, 2022.
Besides, the June 2017 embargo on Qatar saw Iran support Doha partly by providing substitutes for embargoed food exports. Iran also permitted Qatari aircraft and ships to access its territory. In July 2017, Doha and Tehran signed a trade agreement. The following month, Qatar restored full diplomatic relations with Iran.
Recently, Qatar has proposed mediating to ease the tensions between Iran and the United States of America, and other countries in the region. In the past, Qatar supported the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) in 2015.
Yesterday ahead of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum, Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani hosted the President of the Islamic Republic of Iran H E Ebrahim Raisi.
During the meeting, the Amir briefed the Iranian leader on the outcome of the Vienna negotiations regarding the nuclear agreement and its importance and impact on the security and stability of the region. Both countries also signed 14 memoranda of understanding in aviation, trade, shipping, media, cancellation of visa requirements, electricity, standards, education, and culture, in the first visit of an Iranian president to Doha in 11 years.
The Amir also congratulated the President on the Iranian team’s qualification for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and extended an invitation to the President to attend the tournament.
Meanwhile, President Raisi highlighted the advantages that the two countries share scientifically, geographically, and environmentally, noting the human capacity and the possibility of cooperation in economic relations. He also affirmed that his country is looking forward to qualitative development and opening new horizons with Qatar and the Gulf.
