Qatar reportedly sent its Minister of Economy and Trade, Ahmed bin Jassem Al-Thani, as its representative during the inauguration of Iranian President Hassan Rouhani's second term in office.

 

Qatar's participation in Tehran comes in the shadow of its crisis with a number of Gulf and Arab states calling for a series of demands, including a suspension of relations with Iran as well as halting its financial support for terrorist groups across the region.

 

Iran’s Tasnim news agency reported last week that Qatar was sending a high-profile team to attend Rouhani’s inauguration including Qatari Prime Minister Abdullah bin Nasser Al-Thani.

 

The agency quoted a statement by the Qatari premier confirming his participation in the ceremony as the representative of Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim, pointing out that his country is “grateful for Iran’s support” at a time when several countries are imposing sanctions against Doha and that “they would never forget such Iranian help”.