Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani has stressed his country’s willingness to strengthen relations with Qatar and called regional tensions with his country “detrimental”, according to Al Jazeera.
In a phone call on Wednesday between Rouhani and Qatar’s Amir, H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the two leaders exchanged Eid Al Fitr greetings. “The points of view of Tehran and Doha are very close in many regional issues and the frequent contact between the two countries is very productive,” the website of the Iranian presidency quoted Sheikh Tamim as saying.
The Amir also emphasised Qatar is eager to develop relations with Iran in all fields and that negotiation is the only way to ease current tensions in the region.
The final statement of summits recently held in Makkah and attended by Qatar, denounced Iran over escalating tensions. Later, Qatar’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, H E Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulraman Al Thani said the statement did not reflect Doha’s foreign policy and was made without his country’s input.
“The statements condemned Iran but did not refer to a moderate policy to speak with Tehran,” Sheikh Mohammed said. Rouhani welcomed Qatar’s stances, saying they are based “on the policy of good neighbourliness and aimed at reducing tensions”. He said: “Without a doubt, any summit that does not bring regional countries closer together will be ineffective, counterproductive and even harmful.”
The Iranian President also called out Saudi Arabia and the UAE’s position against Qatar and their war against Yemen, as well as their antagonism towards Iran. “Their (Saudi and UAE’s) relations will be detrimental to the entire region,” he said.