Doha receives offer of assistance with World Cup development

Iran is willing to assist with World Cup building projects in Qatar as Tehran looks to extend co-operation between the two states, President Hassan Rouhani said.

Qatar has been seeking support since Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain and Egypt broke ties with it over its support for terrorism and interference in the internal affairs of its neighbours.

One of their demands for normalising relations is that Doha severs its growing ties with Iran, which is also meddling in regional affairs.

Iran has also been accused of supporting terrorism, including by the late Senator John McCain, who said it was “getting away with murder”.

Iranian state news agency Irna reported on Sunday that in a call with the Emir of Qatar, Mr Rouhani said Tehran was seeking stronger port and maritime co-operation, including a shipping line between the two countries to accelerate trade.

He said Iranian companies were willing to assist on projects ahead of the football Fifa World Cup in 2022.

Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim said he was also seeking to develop ties with Tehran.

In maintaining and expanding relations with Iran, Qatar is also defying the US, which has reimposed sanctions against Tehran.

The financial sanctions are likely to further isolate the Islamic republic and hurt its economy which, in turn, is likely to lead Tehran to shore up regional alliances, such as that with Doha.

Many international companies – including France’s Total, Peugeot and Renault, and Germany’s Siemens and Daimler – have suspended operations in Iran since President Donald Trump withdrew the US from the 2015 nuclear deal.

The harsh penalties had been lifted under a landmark 2015 agreement, but a second round of measures will come into effect in early November. Phase two will target Iran’s oil and energy sectors.