‘Qatar wants powerful Iran in Middle East’

Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani has hailed as a big achievement the recent nuclear deal reached between Iran and six major world powers, saying his country wants a powerful Iran in the region.

In a meeting with visiting Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif in Doha on Monday, the Qatari Emir added that strong bilateral ties would be beneficial to his country.

Tehran and Doha enjoy enormous commonalities and no difference should hinder the expansion of mutual relations, he said.

The Iranian foreign minister, for his part, said the expansion of amicable ties with regional countries is among Iran’s priorities, adding that his tour is aimed at conveying the Islamic Republic’s message of friendship to regional states.

“Security, welfare and development of the region are inseparable [issues] and have linked the common future of regional countries,” Zarif stated.

He added that Iran and Qatar should focus on their commonalties and stand by one another.

He said strengthening bilateral ties and cooperation strengthens the pillars of cooperation and confidence and Tehran-Doha ties will enter a new phase.

In another meeting on the day, the Iranian foreign minister and his Qatari counterpart Khalid bin Muhammad al-Atiyah agreed to start a new phase in ties between Tehran and Doha due to their great capacities.

Zarif and Atiyah exchanged views on political, economic and trade ties and said the two countries have political resolve to hold regular consultation at different levels with the purpose of bolstering cooperation.

They agreed to proceed with bilateral and multilateral consultation to find political and peaceful solutions to crises in the region.

Zarif arrived in Doha on Monday on the third leg of his tour of the Persian Gulf littoral states after he wrapped up his official visits to Kuwait and Oman.

In a Sunday meeting with his Kuwaiti counterpart Sheikh Sabah Khalid al-Hamad al-Sabah, Zarif said, “We believe that a new era has begun in ties between Iran and regional states which should turn into a new chapter of amicable relations through efforts by all regional countries.”

At a meeting with Oman’s ruler Sultan Qaboos bin Said Al Said later on Sunday, Zarif expressed Tehran’s readiness for further development of bilateral relations between the two countries and added that the Islamic Republic of Iran “accords special respect to Oman as a good neighbor.”