Doha: The President of Iran has arrived in Qatar after a gap of 11 years. Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani received Iranian President Ibrahim Raisi at Doha Hamad International Airport. This is Ibrahim Raisi’s first visit to the Gulf country since taking office as President of Iran. The two countries signed agreements to strengthen cooperation in the areas of economy, energy, infrastructure development, food security and culture.
Iran discusses nuclear deal
Al Jazeera reported that Iran discussed a number of issues, including the nuclear deal, during a special meeting at the emir’s palace, the Amiri Diwan. The Iranian president discussed the issue with the Emir of Qatar amid ongoing talks in Vienna on the renewal of an agreement reached in 2015 under the auspices of the International Atomic Energy Agency. The agreement signed during Barack Obama’s presidency was aimed at lifting US-led sanctions against Iran instead of halting its nuclear program. But after Donald Trump came to power, the agreement was canceled and sanctions were re-imposed.
Raisi urges US to show willpower
After the talks, the Iranian president said that the United States must show the will to prove that sanctions against Iran will be lifted if indirect talks continue as part of the renewal of the nuclear deal. The Iranian president told a joint news conference with the Emir of Qatar that assurances were needed that the sanctions be lifted if the nuclear talks were to be effective. Iran’s Foreign Ministry has said that a number of issues have been resolved during the official talks with the United States and that “good progress has been made.” However, the ministry said the remaining issues were “very serious”.
Qatar in the role of mediator in the Iran nuclear issue
Political observers say the Iranian president’s visit will further strengthen Qatar’s efforts to mediate between Iran and the United States on the renewal of the Iran nuclear deal. The Qatari foreign minister had earlier held talks with Iranian and US officials in this regard. Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani told a news conference that Qatar would extend all possible assistance in finding a lasting solution to the Iran nuclear issue.
Various co-operation agreements were signed
These include visa waivers for diplomatic passport holders, training and co-operation in diplomatic missions under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, cooperation between the Qatar Media Corporation and the Iran Broadcasting Corporation in the field of radio and television, and the strengthening of passenger and cargo shipping ties, including overseas tunneling. A high-level delegation, including ministers, has arrived in Qatar with the Iranian president.
Will attend the Natural Gas Summit
The two leaders will also attend a summit of natural gas exporters in Doha. Doha is hosting the sixth summit of the GECF, a consortium of natural gas exporters, on global energy security. ‘Natural gas; The summit was held under the theme ‘Creating a New Model of Future Energy’. The summit will focus on natural gas production, strengthening production and ensuring global energy security. The three-day summit ends today. The GECF Heads of State Meeting will be held today. In addition to host Qatar, other countries participating in the forum are Algeria, Bolivia, Egypt, Guinea, Iran, Libya, Nigeria, Russia, Trinidad and Tobago, Venezuela, Azerbaijan, the Netherlands, Norway, Iraq, Oman and the UAE.