Amid Israel-Iran Conflict, Qatar Stands With Iran

Against the backdrop of the tension between Israel and Iran, and following Iran's October 1, 2024 missile attack on Israel, Qatar has aligned itself with Iran. A delegation of Iranian ministers and officials headed by President Masoud Pezeshkian arrived in Qatar to participate in the Asia Cooperation Dialogue Forum, held in Doha. During the visit the two countries promoted cooperation in various fields, including economy, energy, culture and education. In addition, according to President Pezeshkian, "significant progress was made on $6bn in Iranian assets held in Qatar."

Qatari Emir Tamim bin Hamad Aal Thani wrote on X that  the visit reflected "the two countries' mutual desire to continue boosting their relations of constructive cooperation on all levels."[1] Reports in the Iranian media have it that the Qatari Emir will be invited for an official visit to Tehran in order to continue implementing the agreements signed and to discuss further cooperation.

Qatari Emir Aal Thani with Iranian President Pezeshkian (Image: qna.org.qa, October 2, 2024)

Pezeshkian also used his visit to Qatar as an opportunity to meet with senior Hamas officials staying in Doha, as well as with Arab leaders, including Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan. According to the Iranian president, a central goal of the visit was to discuss the crises in Gaza and Lebanon and to seek solutions to these and other regional crises while reaching understandings between the various sides.

This report reviews media reports on the visit to Qatar of the Iranian delegation headed by President Masoud Pezeshkian.

Qatari Emir: There Is Mutual Desire To Strengthen Cooperation Between Qatar And Iran

Qatari Emir Tamim bin Hamad Aal Thani met with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on October 2. According to Qatar's official news agency, during the meeting the Emir praised "the cooperation between Qatar and Iran, which is anchored in shared interests and in neighborliness." The report added that the two discussed ways to develop the relations between the countries in all fields, especially those of economy, energy and culture, as well as the developments in the region and the world that concern both countries, in particular the developments in Gaza, the Palestinian territories and  Lebanon.[2]

On the sidelines of the Iranian delegation's visit to Doha, the two countries signed a joint statement on strengthening their cultural cooperation and on plans for the coming years in the domains of culture, arts, education, science, youth and sports. Additionally, a memorandum of understanding was signed for the development of the Dayyer port project in Iran, as well as a protocol of cooperation in the fields of healthcare, animal welfare and trade in livestock."[3]

At the end of the visit, the Emir posted on X: "I was pleased to welcome Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian. This visit reflects the two countries' mutual desire to continue boosting their relations of constructive cooperation on all levels. Our bilateral talks today in Doha were held while the Middle East is going through a sensitive period due to the ongoing aggression against the Gaza Strip, the Palestinian territories and Lebanon, and amid the accelerating escalation in the region. Qatar will continue its efforts to achieve the hoped-for security, stability and peace in the region and the world."[4]

The Emir's post on X

Ahead of the visit, the Qatari ambassador to Iran, Sa'ad Abdullah Al-Mahmoud Al-Sharif, told the Qatari news agency QNA that the two countries are consistently working to strengthen their cooperation, and that Pezeshkian's visit to Doha would surely contribute to enhancing the relations between them. He noted that, given their shared maritime border, there is ongoing cooperation to facilitate trade by removing customs barriers and creating solutions in terms of ports to receive goods from both countries.[5]

Iranian President Pezeshkian: We Reached "Good Understandings" On $6bn In Iranian Assets Held In Qatar

On October 3, after concluding his visit to Qatar, President Pezeshkian stated that his meeting with the Emir had yielded "significant progress on $6bn in Iranian assets held in Qatar," namely, Iranian funds frozen in compliance with U.S. sanctions that had been held in South Korea and later transferred to Qatar with U.S. approval.

He added that the sides had reached "good understandings" regarding the use of these funds, saying: "We have assets worth $6bn in Qatar, and the governors of the two countries' central banks have met. We also spoke with the Qatari Emir about this matter, and reached good understandings about this." He added that many other meetings had been held with Qatari leaders and leaders from Central Asia on promoting regional cooperation.

Pezeshkian noted further that six cooperation agreements with Qatar had been signed in the course of his visit, following successful meetings that Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi held with members of the Qatari government and with other Arab countries in the region.

It was also reported that the Qatari Emir will conduct an official visit to Tehran in order to continue implementing the agreements that were signed and discuss further cooperations in many domains, including energy, sports and trade.[6] 

Hamas Leaders In Meeting With Pezeshkian: The Relations With Iran Are Deep; The Blood Of The Resistance Front Leaders Will Bring Us To The Final Victory

Pezeshkian also used his visit to Doha as an opportunity to meet with Hamas leaders there. During the meeting Muhammad Isma'il Darwish, head of Hamas' Shura Council, said that the relations between Hamas and Iran are "deep and justified." "The project of normalization [between Arab countries and Israel] is based on eliminating the Palestinian cause and denying the Palestinian rights. But, thanks to the wisdom of the resistance inside and outside Palestine this project has failed." Darwish added: "We are today in the center of the world and at the heart of religious and divine civilizations, and whoever controls this region will surely have a significant role and influence over the entire world."  

Khaled Mash'al, head of Hamas' political bureau abroad, said at the meeting that the Iranian armed forces' October 1 attack on Israel had yielded "great achievements, chief of them the restoration and rehabilitation of the resistance front's deterrence." Mash'al went on to say: "We are confident that the blood of the leaders and commanders of the resistance front will bring us to the final victory. Ending this barbaric war requires uniting all efforts and supporting the Palestinian resistance, and we hope to pray side by side in Jerusalem one day."[7]

Pezeshkian shaking hands with Mash'al (Image: Alaraby.co.uk, October 3, 2024)

Pezeshkian: "We Support The Islamic Resistance Groups [Working] To Liberate Palestine"; "The Zionist Regime Will Soon Be Punished"

Addressing the Palestinian issue at the Asia Cooperation Dialogue Forum, held in Qatar, Pezeshkian said that "those who violate human rights must know that resistance is a fertile tree that cannot be destroyed and that the Zionist regime will be punished soon. That is why we support the Islamic resistance groups [working] to liberate Palestine and regard it as our duty to defend Palestine."

The Iranian President added that "the ongoing crimes of the Zionist regime prompted the firm response of Iran's armed forces" (i.e., the October 1 missile attack on Israel), and threatened that "this regime [Israel] will surely encounter a much stronger and mightier response if it makes the smallest mistake [and attacks Iran]."[8]

Pezeshkian Met With Arab Leaders To Discuss Situation In Region, Gaza And Lebanon

The Iranian president also used the visit in Doha to meet with leaders from other Arab countries, including Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan. One of the main goals of these meetings, he clarified, was to discuss the crises in Gaza and Lebanon and try to promote solutions for regional crises while reaching understandings between the various sides. He said: "The new development that has occurred is that the foreign ministers of the Arab states and our foreign minister, Mr. Araghchi, met and discussed the situation in the region, in Gaza and in Lebanon. These Arab foreign ministers reached a good understanding regarding the issues we faced together or the complaints that were raised, and this process can continue."

He added: "Over time, we will reach a situation where we have a common language and vision with the neighboring countries, and can lead the world with one voice and with a clear vision of our goal, so as to put Israel in its place and stop the crimes and massacres it initiated… What brought us [to the current situation] are the disputes among the Islamic countries. Had the Muslims been united, the Zionist regime would not have dared to commit these crimes. What we seek and strive to achieve, both within our country and among the neighboring and Islamic countries, is to underscore the strength of the brotherhood and unity [among us], for the sake of the honor and pride of the Islamic nation. If this is realized, the united Muslim voice will reverberate and prevent any aggressor and criminal from violating the rights of the Islamic nation. We hope that the Almighty will guide us all on this path."[9]

Pezeshkian criticized the Western countries, stating that "the [Western] countries, which talk endlessly about human rights and human dignity, have proven, through their support of this criminal regime [Israel], that these concepts are completely alien to them and that they place no value on human life, particularly the lives of women and children, and that all their claims are lies."[10]