Doha’s isolation is increased as Qatar and Iran consolidate their relationship

Iran voiced its support for the Qatari government this week, consolidating its alliance with the Gulf state.

Navy Rear Admiral Ali Reza Tangsiri, who led a delegation to Doha, said Iran is supportive of Qatar’s government and citizens.

The “ground is ready for development of co-operation with Qatar and we are doing our best to have stronger relations with Doha”, the Deputy Commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps’ told Iran’s news agency IRNA on Tuesday.

The Guard is the primary force behind the Iranian military presence in Syria, supporting Syrian President Bashar Al Assad, while Qatar supports the Syrian opposition.

Iran and Qatar restored full diplomatic relations last summer in defiance of the 13 demands put forward by the Arab Quartet comprised of Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt and Bahrain – including curbing ties with Iran and closing its diplomatic missions there.

The quartet has voiced concerns about Iran’s military actions in Syria, Yemen and other parts of the Arab world.

It also demanded that Doha sever all ties to terrorist organisations, specifically ISIL and Lebanon’s Hezbollah, and shut down state-owned Al Jazeera, which the quartet said provides a platform for extremists and dissidents.

Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain and Egypt cut transport and diplomatic ties with Qatar last year over accusations of its support for extremist groups and interference in the affairs of other countries. Doha denies all allegations.

Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has said the dispute with Doha “could last for a long time”, making a comparison to America’s decades-long embargo on Cuba, the Egyptian daily Al Shorouk reported this month.

As a result of the boycott, Turkish dairy goods and Iranian fruit have been flown to Qatar.

Trade between Iran and Qatar exceeded $200 million (Dh735m) in the boycott period. Last month, the two launched a joint chamber of commerce, following up closer ties between Iranian and Qatari banks established in December 2017.

Many Iranian banks are under international sanctions.