Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani inspects guards of honor at the State House in Nairobi, Kenya April 11, 2017. (Reuters)
Sputnik: Qatar 'Extends Olive Branch to Iran to Deal With Saudi Pressure'
Qatar appears to have decided to improve its relationship with Iran in a bid to gain leverage in its relations with Saudi Arabia, political analyst Ahmet Kasim Han told Sputnik Turkey, commenting on the recent spat between Riyadh and Doha.
Relations between Riyadh and Doha had taken a major hit last week after state-run Qatari news agency QNA published controversial comments attributed to Emir Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani.
News articles quoted al-Thani as saying, among other things, that Iran is an "Islamic power" that has played a positive role in stabilizing the region. In addition, the Qatari emir supposedly described relations with Israel as "good" and called Hamas the "legitimate representative of the Palestinian people," while criticizing Saudi Arabia and the United States for their policies in the Middle East.
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WNU Editor: This is a very serious split, and it is becoming very personal .... Outrage after Al Jazeera posts tweet insulting Saudi king (The National).
More News On The Growing Split Between Qatar And The Gulf States
Gulf Spat Escalates as Saudi Arabia, U.A.E. Media Attack Qatar -- Bloomberg
U.A.E. Minister Says Gulf States in Crisis Amid Qatar Spat -- Bloomberg
Gargash says Qatar’s behaviour threatens stability in the Gulf -- The National
UAE minister warns Gulf alliance faces a major crisis -- Reuters
Rift between Saudi Arabia and Qatar to widen? -- Arutz Sheva
In wake of Trump visit, Saudi-led Sunni bloc already splintering -- Bruce Riedel, Al-Monitor
Gulf Arab row rattles Trump's anti-Iran axis -- Reuters
Qatar, Saudi Arabia open crack in united front against Iran -- Sami Moubayed, Asia Times
Qatar cannot be allowed to sabotage the region -- Hussein Ibish, The National
ANALYSIS: Qatar’s controversial foreign policy and GCC-Iran relations -- Al Arabiya