Iran: Qatar diplomatic rift ‘threatens interests of all’

TEHRAN, Iran (Kurdistan24) – An Iranian official on Monday urged Qatar and its neighboring Gulf Arab nations to “engage in dialogue” over severed diplomatic ties.

Iran’s foreign ministry spokesman Bahram Ghasemi said the political rift between the Gulf countries threatened “the interests of all.”

“The solution to differences between states in the region…is only possible through political and peaceful methods and dialogue between the parties,” Ghasemi said.

Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, and other nations cut ties with Qatar on Monday, accusing the country of supporting terrorism.

Qatar denied assertions made against it, labeling the decision from its neighboring countries to sever ties “unjustified” and with “no basis in fact.”

According to Ghasemi, increased tension among its southern neighbors “is not to the benefit of any governments in the region” while the world was experiencing “widespread terrorism and extremism.”

Since 2016, Iran has had no diplomatic ties with most of the mainly Sunni Gulf states after a rift with Saudi Arabia.

“Using sanctions in today’s integrated world is inefficient, to be condemned and unacceptable,” the foreign ministry spokesman added.

Iran’s Foreign Minister Javid Zarif also stressed the significance of dialogue among the hostile countries.

“Neighbors are permanent; geography can’t be changed,” he said. “Coercion is never the solution [and] dialogue is imperative.”

Meanwhile, Libya, the Maldives, and Yemen also followed their allies in cutting political ties with Qatar.

The accusations made against Qatar and the subsequent reaction from other Gulf states is the largest diplomatic crisis in the region in recent years.

Editing by G. H. Renaud