Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian has met Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani in Moscow on the sidelines of an energy forum, where the two leaders discussed expanding bilateral cooperation, Iranian state media reported.
The meeting took place on the sidelines of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum, Iranian state television reported on Tuesday. The two leaders "reviewed the current state of relations between Tehran and Doha and emphasised the importance of expanding political and economic relations and utilising existing capacities to enhance the level of bilateral cooperation", according to the report. They also discussed expanding cooperation in the energy sector.
Iranian state media's account made no mention of discussion of the US-Israel war on Iran, which has seen Iran conduct missile and drone strikes on targets across the region, including in Qatar. Doha has been taking part in mediation efforts to end the nearly eight-month-old war.
At a weekly briefing on Tuesday, a Qatari foreign ministry spokesman called for Iran to stop threatening Gulf states so that diplomacy can help defuse tensions in the Middle East. He added that a Qatari delegation had visited Tehran to support mediation efforts and help pave the way for a resolution with the United States.
Analysis
Why This Matters
- Qatar is a key mediator in a conflict that has reached Gulf states, with Iran's strikes affecting Qatari territory.
- Expanded Qatari-Iranian energy cooperation could shift Gulf energy diplomacy as the forum convenes in Moscow.
- The meeting keeps diplomatic channels open between a Gulf state and Iran even as the wider war continues.
Background
The meeting occurred on the sidelines of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum in Moscow, a gathering of major gas producers. Qatar has been involved in mediation to end the US-Israel war on Iran, now in its eighth month, during which Iran has launched missile and drone strikes across the region, including in Qatar. Iranian state media's account of the leaders' talks did not raise the war.
Key Perspectives
- Iranian state television: reported the two leaders reviewed relations and emphasised expanding political and economic cooperation and energy ties.
- Qatar's foreign ministry spokesman: called for Iran to stop threatening Gulf states so that diplomacy can defuse tensions, and said a Qatari delegation visited Tehran to support mediation with the United States.
What to Watch
- Whether the Moscow meeting yields announced energy cooperation agreements between Doha and Tehran.
- Whether Iran responds publicly to Qatar's call to stop threatening Gulf states.
- Whether Qatari mediation efforts with the United States and Iran advance in the coming weeks.
Checked
12 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 9 supported.
Show each claim
- Partly supportedThe leaders discussed energy cooperation, as stated without qualification in the headline.Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera: “They also reportedly discussed expanding cooperation in the energy sector at the meeting on the sidelines of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum in Moscow.”
- SupportedThe summary says the meeting was held on the sidelines of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum.Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera: “They also reportedly discussed expanding cooperation in the energy sector at the meeting on the sidelines of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum in Moscow.”
- SupportedA Qatari foreign ministry spokesman urged Iran to stop threatening Gulf states so diplomacy could help defuse Middle East tensions.Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera: “At a weekly briefing on Tuesday, a foreign ministry spokesman called for Iran to stop threatening Gulf states so that diplomacy can help to defuse tensions in the Middle East.”
- SupportedIran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian met Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani in Moscow on the sidelines of an energy forum, Iranian state media reported.Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera: “Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian has met Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani on the sidelines of an energy forum in Moscow, Iranian state media reported.”
- SupportedThe two leaders discussed expanding bilateral cooperation, according to Iranian state media.Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera: “The two leaders “reviewed the current state of relations between Tehran and Doha and emphasised the importance of expanding political and economic relations and utilising existing capacities to enhance the level of bilateral cooperation”, Iranian state television reported on Tuesday.”
- SupportedThe leaders “reviewed the current state of relations between Tehran and Doha and emphasised the importance of expanding political and economic relations and utilising existing capacities to enhance the level of bilateral cooperation”.Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera: “The two leaders “reviewed the current state of relations between Tehran and Doha and emphasised the importance of expanding political and economic relations and utilising existing capacities to enhance the level of bilateral cooperation”, Iranian state television reported on Tuesday.”
- Partly supportedIranian state television reported on Tuesday that the meeting took place on the sidelines of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum.Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera: “The two leaders “reviewed the current state of relations between Tehran and Doha and emphasised the importance of expanding political and economic relations and utilising existing capacities to enhance the level of bilateral cooperation”, Iranian state television reported on Tuesday. ... at the meeting on the sidelines of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum in Moscow.”
- Partly supportedThe leaders discussed expanding cooperation in the energy sector.Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera: “They also reportedly discussed expanding cooperation in the energy sector at the meeting on the sidelines of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum in Moscow.”
- SupportedThe Iranian state-media account did not mention discussion of the US-Israel war on Iran.Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera: “There was no mention of a discussion of the US-Israel war on Iran”
- SupportedThe war has seen Iran conduct missile and drone strikes on targets across the region, including in Qatar.Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera: “which has seen Iran conduct missile and drone strikes on a range of targets across the region, including in Qatar.”
- SupportedDoha has been taking part in mediation efforts to end the nearly eight-month-old war.Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera: “Doha has been taking part in mediation efforts to end the nearly eight-month-old war.”
- SupportedThe spokesman said a Qatari delegation had visited Tehran to support mediation and help pave the way for a resolution with the United States.Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera: “He added that a Qatari delegation visited Tehran to support mediation efforts and help pave the way for a resolution with the United States.”