Qatar Calls for De-Escalation of Persian Gulf Crisis

TEHRAN (IQNA) – Qatar's foreign minister called for a de-escalation of tension in the Persian Gulf region and for dialogue between Arab countries and Iran, Al Jazeera reported on Wednesday.

Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Egypt severed diplomatic, trade and travel ties with Qatar in mid-2017 over accusations that Doha it supports terrorism, charges which Qatar denies.

Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani said the Persian Gulf crisis should be resolved by dialogue, respect for sovereignty and non-interference in the internal affairs of states, according to Reuters.

Al-Thani also told Doha-based al Jazeera that talks to resolve the crisis were under way, with Saudi Arabia representing the other parties to the dispute. Riyadh said this month a solution was within reach.