Iran and Qatar’s Regional Role

On Tuesday 7th of July, Chief of Staff of the Qatari Armed Forces Major General Hamad Bin Ali al-Attiyah arrived in Tehran to discuss expansion of defensive military ties. Meanwhile, Iranian Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani visited Doha on Sunday to hold talks with Qatari officials on regional issues. Middle East expert Mohammad Irani has commented on Iran-Qatar relations: 

The current warm relations between Tehran and Doha, while some countries are hesitant in approaching Iran after the controversial presidential elections, are rooted in prior commitments. Close relations and commitments are both are result of close personal ties between leaders of two countries, a factor not affected by Iran post-election demonstrations and any other domestic development. 

During the recent years we have witnessed a chain of regional events in which Qatar played a role. To some extent, the opportunity for Qatar to be a regional actor was provided by Iran. Iran was vital to the success of last year Doha conference intended to reconcile Lebanese groups. The Emir of Qatar responded by sending a first-time invitation for Iran to attend the GCC summit. 

These two events cemented bilateral ties between Iran and the Persian Gulf Arab state. Therefore, after the post-election unrest in Iran when some Western and Middle East countries are still eying Iran’s developments and have halted efforts to strengthen ties, the Qataris indirectly backed Iran by abstention to make any remarks on Iran’s domestic circumstances. 

The Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa al-Thani’s praise for Iranian democracy stopped groups inside Qatar to pass any comment which would threaten warm ties between the two countries. 

Let us reemphasize the opportunity Qatar has received by approaching Iran. They have now found a chance to fulfill a prominent role in regional affairs vis-à-vis Saudi Arabia, their traditional rival -also a main party involved in Lebanon’s developments. Qatar’s mediation in Lebanon’s political scene became possible with Iran’s support.