Iran and Turkey Send Thousands of Tons of Food to Qatar

Iran and Turkey have rushed to assist Qatar. Qatar, which has been isolated by Arab countries in recent weeks, is receiving 1,100 tons of food daily from Iran and 4,000 tons from Turkey.

The director general of ports and maritime affairs of Bushehr Province announced on Thursday, June 22, that given the special position of Bushehr Province’s ports in trade with Persian Gulf countries, 1,100 tons of food items are exported daily from these ports to Qatar.

Two weeks ago, a number of Arab countries, led by Saudi Arabia, cut ties with Qatar. Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Bahrain, and the United Arab Emirates severed their diplomatic relations with Qatar on June 5 and closed their transportation and trade routes with the country.

Shortly after, several other Arab countries also joined this approach against Qatar.

Relations were cut off after the Emir of Qatar described Iran as a major power and guarantor of stability in the region in a speech and designated the Hamas organization as representative of the Palestinians. Although it was later claimed that these statements were fabricated and Qatar’s news sources were hacked, Qatar’s general positions on regional affairs suggest that these statements are not far from the Emir’s viewpoint.

Saudi Arabia and its allies have accused Qatar of supporting “terrorist groups” such as “Egypt’s Muslim Brotherhood and Hamas in Palestinian territories.” Moreover, Qatar has been accused of not taking a hardline approach toward Iran. Kuwait and other Arab countries are attempting to mediate in this crisis, but have not yet been successful.

Source: DW