The Iranian Foreign Ministry announced that Minister Javad Zarif would pay working visits to Qatar and Iraq. The visit is expected to be made on Sunday, according to the Iranian Ministry. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Saeed Khatibzadeh stated that the visit would discuss the ways of improving bilateral relations, as well as regional and trans-regional developments. It is expected that the Iranian Foreign Minister would hold talks with several officials in the Gulf state, the statement added.
It is worthy to note that the visit would be materialized while indirect talks between the United States and Iran to restore the 2015 nuclear agreement are continuing in Vienna. Recently, it has been speculated that some progress has been made in the negotiations although there is still lots to do.
It is known that Qatar has offered mediation between the United States and Iran in terms of restoring the 2015 nuclear deal. In February, Qatari Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani reiterated his country’s offer during senior-level meetings in Iran. Qatar had also played a significant role in easing tensions between the US and Iran following the assassination of Iranian General Qassem Soleimani.
On the other hand, the Iranian Foreign Minister will visit Iraq amid speculations that Iraq is mediating between Saudi Arabia and Iran. Earlier, the Financial Times reported that the two regional rivals came together through Iraqi President Mustafa Al Kadhimi’s mediation in Iraq on April 9. While the report was not clearly rejected by Iranian authorities, an Iraqi government official speaking to the Western media confirmed the meeting.
