The spokesperson for Iran Foreign Ministry has welcomed Qatar’s decision to send back its ambassador to Tehran.
Bahram Ghasemi, the spokesperson for Islamic Republic of Iran’s Foreign Ministry has told ISNA: “Iran is ready to have better relations with its neighboring countries in the framework of mutual respect and maintaining of common interests. One of our main priorities for foreign policy in the new government is to advance collaborations and prioritize all-embracing relations with neighboring countries.”
Qatar foreign ministry announced that it is restoring diplomatic relations with Iran on Thursday 24 August. It did not provide a reason as to why the ties are being restored.
Qatar cut ties with Tehran in Jan 2016; it is believed that the decision was related to attacks against Saudi diplomatic service buildings in Tehran.
On 2 Jan 2016, after Saudi Arabia executed Shiite cleric, Nimr al-Nimr as well as 46 other Shiite dissidents, crowds of people in Tehran attacked two Saudi diplomatic buildings including the embassy.
Those who attacked the Saudi buildings in Tehran are believed to be state-sponsored plainclothes militia known as Basijis and religious activists.
Shortly after the Jan 2016 attacks Qatar called its ambassador back from Tehran.
The Qatar’s foreign ministry memo for the restoration of diplomatic ties was short and it did not provide an explanation.
However, the move is possibly related to Saudi Arabia isolating Qatar alleging that Doha supports terrorism in the region and is too friendly with Iran.
Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Egypt cut ties with Qatar in June 2017 and as result Doha has been looking for trade relations and ties with Iran and Turkey.
One of the main demands of Saudi Arabia and the Arab nations that are boycotting Doha is that this county limits its relations with Tehran.
Four Arab states have so far denied Qatar their sea and air routes. Iran and turkey have sent food to Qatar and have given access to Qatari planes in their airspace.
It is excepted that the move to resume diplomatic relations will increase Iran’s exports to Qatar by tenfolds.
