Emir of Qatar to head to Iran, Europe next week: Source
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The source says that the Emir of Qatar will visit Iran and then begin an "extensive visit to the EU and UK”.
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Qatar's emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani (AFP)
The Emir of Qatar Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani will travel to Iran, Germany, Britain, and other European countries beginning this week to discuss efforts to resurrect Iran's 2015 nuclear deal as well as energy security in Europe, according to a source briefed on the visit on Sunday.
Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani will visit Iran before embarking on an "extensive visit to the EU and UK," according to a source who requested anonymity because the trip has yet to be officially announced.
On the European leg of the trip, a key focus of discussions will be how to "bridge the gap" on nuclear talks that have been stalled since March, as well as liquefied natural gas and energy security, the source said in a statement to Reuters.
On Sunday, Iranian state media reported that the Emir of Qatar would visit Iran to strengthen ties, but no specific date or other details were provided.
Germany and other European countries have sought to strengthen energy ties with Qatar as they look for alternatives to Russian gas amid supply concerns and rising prices as a result of the war in Ukraine.
The majority of Qatari volumes are committed to long-term contracts, and Qatar's energy minister has stated that no single country has the capacity to replace Russian gas supplies to Europe with liquefied natural gas in the event of a disruption.
According to the source, the emir's trip also aimed to bring the parties to the Iran nuclear deal to "a new middle ground."
Last week, Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian affirmed the continuation of the Vienna negotiations through the exchange of written letters.
The FM stated that the negotiations have not ceased and are continuing with the US through exchanged letters in order to remove sanctions on Iran.
Amir-Abdollahian added that the goal of the negotiations is to obtain a lasting agreement, and Iran has called for a realistic view by the American side, as the abolition of sanctions and obtaining economic guarantees are among the most important points on the agenda for the negotiations.
He expressed his belief that the US has understood Iran's red lines and stressed that Tehran will maintain negotiations.
