Qatar's Tamim slammed over 'potential' visit to Tehran

CAIRO – 3 August 2017: Emirati newspapers expressed their anger Thursday over the widespread news about the intention of Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani to participate in the inauguration ceremony of Hassan Rouhani.

The Dubai-based al-Bayan newspaper stated that Tamim’s visit to Tehran is considered a shameful act. The newspaper stated that the problem is not in Qatar’s relation with Iran as it is known that Qatar has a strong relation with Iran long time ago; but the true problem is that the Tamim’s first visit to Tehran will come amid Gulf’s Crisis with Qatar.

Al-Bayan also noted that Doha’s relation with Tehran did not change despite Iran’s support to those who staged the coup in Yemen and its blatant interventions in the region.

This visit provoked sad emotions to the Arab’s people and showed disrespect to their martyrs who died by the militias of the Houthis who are armed by Iran.

The most serious issue here is that this visit confirms Qatar’s support, and coordination with the Houthis and provides them with information about the movements of the Arab coalition forces, Al-Bayan added saying "It is betrayal of brothers.”

Al-Khaleej Newspaper also stated that Tamim’s regime leans wholeheartedly to Iran and its people and goes against the Gulf countries. It continues to say talk about “Conspiracy against Iran and Rouhani.”

Qatar persists in its “irresponsible provocative steps” and Tamim’s attendance in the ceremony of Rouhani achieves Iran’s target to intervene in Qatar’s united decision, AlKhaleej added.

Al-Watan newspaper said that Iran benefits from Qatar’s relation to interfere in the Arab countries.

Qatar’s relations with several Arab and Gulf states have been strained since May 24, when the Qatari state-run news agency reported Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani’s statements regarding Gulf foreign policy with Iran, describing it as “unwise.”

On June 5, 2017, several countries, including Egypt, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, severed diplomatic ties with Doha over accusations of Qatar backing and funding terrorist groups.

On June 23, 2017, the four Arab states boycotting Qatar sent Doha a list of 13 demands, including downgrading diplomatic ties with Iran and cutting off any joint military cooperation with it.