Top Qatari Minister in Iran Seeking Improved Ties to Counter Saudi-Led Blockade

In a meeting on Saturday with Iran’s Minister of Industry, Mine, and Trade Mohammad Shariatmadari in Tehran on Saturday, the Qatari minister said said Doha plans to enhance its bilateral trade ties with Iran in various fields. “Foodstuff and construction material have been Qatar's main imported goods from Iran,” he noted.

He added that Iran is also playing an important role in the transport of goods from Turkey and Azerbaijan to Qatar.

Shariatmadari, for his part, said Iran’s technical and engineering services can help Qatar as the Arab country will be hosting the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

Meanwhile on Sunday, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif and Qatari Minister of Economy explored avenues for the enhancement of economic and trade relations between the two nations.

During the meeting, the two sides conferred on the latest situation of economic and trade ties between Iran and Qatar, and discussed ways to boost the relations.

Zarif and the Qatari minister also underlined the need for removing trade barriers and facilitating the trade exchanges between the two countries.

The Qatari official is heading an economic and trade delegation to Iran.

Early June, The Saudi-led regimes severed relations with Qatar and imposed a blockade against it, accusing Doha of funding "terrorism". Qatar has vehemently rejected the allegations as "baseless".

On June 22, the group issued a 13-point list of demands, including the shutdown of Al Jazeera TV, limiting ties with Iran, and expelling Turkish troops stationed in the country as a prerequisite to lifting the blockade.

Qatar rejected all the demands, denouncing them as attempts to violate its sovereignty.