Zarif arrives in Doha

Upon arrival in Doha, he was welcomed by Iran’s Ambassador to Qatar Mohammad Ali Sobhani.

Earlier today (Monday), the top diplomat discussed bilateral relations and regional developments with Sultan Qaboos and his counterpart Yusuf bin Alawi in Muscat.

He is slated to confer with Qatari emir Shiekh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani and Foreign Minister Mohammad bin Abderrahamn al-Thani tomorrow.

This is first trip by an Iranian top-ranking official to Doha after disputes with Riyadh and its allies in recent months.

Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Egypt cut diplomatic ties with Qatar on June 5 over allegations that it supports “extremism” and is too close to Iran - charges Doha has repeatedly denied.

After more than two weeks, the four Arab countries gave Doha a 10-day ultimatum to comply with a 13-point list of demands in exchange for the end of the anti-Qatar measures.

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