Qatar hosts Iranian exhibition in defiance to Arab demands

CAIRO - 13 August 2017: Qatar insists on its provocative policy with boycotting Arab countries through expanding non-oil exports with Tehran and increasing trade between the two countries.

Iran International Exhibition Company will hold an exhibition on Iran’s foodstuff in Qatar in September amid the crisis with the Arab states.

In a direct challenge to Arab countries, Iran Air spokesman stated earlier that “We will continue sending such cargos while there is still request from the Qatari side.”

Iran takes benefits of the crisis and continues to send cargo of foods to Qatar aiming to interfere in the affairs of Arab countries.

Since June, Iran has sent a number of cargo planes of food to Qatar and planned to provide 100 tons of fruit and vegetables every day.

Qatar has been in talks with Iran and Turkey to secure food and water supplies after Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt and Bahrain cut links, accusing Doha of supporting terrorism.

The four Arab states have requested 13 demands from Qatar, which were presented by Kuwait, the mediator in the crisis. The demands included that Qatar must shut down Al Jazeera TV network, cut diplomatic ties with Iran, stop financing and supporting terror groups, including the outlawed Muslim Brotherhood, and ending Turkey's military presence in Doha.

Following the crisis of cutting ties, Iran has already shown support for Qatar, as the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has been sent to protect Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani inside his palace.

Meanwhile, Turkey has also sent products to Qatar a few days after cutting ties with Gulf neighbors, as the country faced a shortage of fresh produce, subliminally messaging that Qatar is not alone.

Turkey has also sent focuses from a Turkish military base to Qatar, in exchange for economic benefits from Qatar.