Qatar and Iran sign agreements to boost trade and ties

Covid-19 medical deal signed to ensure Doha has enough supplies to tackle the pandemic

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani attending a video conference. EPA  

Iran and Qatar have formed a joint trade and private sector committees to enhance their ties, the Iranian state-run IRNA news agency said on Wednesday.

Relations between Doha and Tehran has been a cause for concern for the US and Gulf Arab states who accuse Iran of meddling into regional affairs and arming proxy groups in the region.

"The two states have signed various memorandum of understandings for co-operation in a variety of areas during the seventh Joint Economic Committee meeting," a statement by IRNA said.

A commercial adviser will be sent to their embassies in Tehran and Doha to ensure the deal goes through.

The agreements stipulate that the ports of the two countries will be used to boost the export and import of goods. Medical agreements between the two were also signed in light of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Tehran registered a record 13,843 new cases on Wednesday, the health ministry said, pushing the tally to 894,385.

The country recorded 469 deaths in the preceding 24 hours, pushing the number of deaths to 46,207.

Iran's health officials have voiced alarm over a surge in infections, urging the public to adhere to health protocols, including wearing face masks and social distancing.

Iran has been the centre of the pandemic in the region since the virus emerged earlier this year.

“Co-operation between Qatar and Iran has been enhanced in the fields of pharmaceutical and medical equipment, higher education and scientific research,” IRNA said.

The meeting this week, held in Iran's central Isfahan province, was attended by the Qatari ambassador to Tehran, Sheikh Khalifa bin Jassim Al Thani, and the heads of the Chamber of Commerce, as well as representatives of the relevant authorities from each side, according to IRNA.

Iran’s Energy Minister, Reza Ardakanian visited Doha last month to push for co-operation between Tehran and Doha in the areas of agriculture, electricity, water and gas.

In 2017, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Egypt severed diplomatic ties with Qatar over its funding of terrorism and ties to extremist groups.

The talks between the Qatari and Iranian officials could widen the rift between Doha and the Arab quartet