Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, met with Qatar’s Emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, in a significant diplomatic encounter that underscores Iran’s deepening ties with its Gulf ally. The meeting, which was also attended by Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, highlighted Tehran’s strategic goals in the region—particularly in its ongoing confrontation with Israel and the West.
A Growing Alliance
During the meeting, Khamenei praised the strengthening relationship between Iran and Qatar, calling the Gulf state a “sister nation” to Iran. This statement is a clear signal of Iran’s intention to solidify its regional alliances as it continues its multi-front war against Israel through proxies like Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Houthis.
One of the key topics discussed was the release of $6 billion in Iranian funds that were previously frozen in South Korea but have since been transferred to Qatari banks. Khamenei pressed Qatar to expedite the process of releasing the funds, blaming the United States for delays and urging Doha to resist American pressure. This demand highlights Iran’s desperation for financial resources as it faces economic struggles due to Western sanctions and its costly support for regional terror groups.
Khamenei also dismissed the significance of U.S. presidential politics, stating that it made no difference whether Joe Biden or Donald Trump was in power. This reflects Iran’s broader policy of defiance toward the United States, regardless of leadership changes in Washington.
Qatar’s Role in Hamas’ War Against Israel
Perhaps the most alarming aspect of the meeting was the Emir of Qatar’s open acknowledgment of Iran’s support for Hamas in its war against Israel. Sheikh Tamim thanked Khamenei for Iran’s assistance to Gaza, stating that Iran’s backing of Hamas and Palestinian terror groups “will not be forgotten.” This is a direct admission of Qatar’s involvement in the conflict and its role in funding and sheltering Hamas leaders while hosting negotiations that often serve Hamas’ interests.
Qatar has long positioned itself as a mediator in Middle East conflicts, particularly in negotiations for hostage releases. However, its direct support for Hamas and refusal to take action against the terror group’s leadership—many of whom reside in Doha—expose its true agenda. The meeting with Khamenei confirms that Qatar is not a neutral player but a strategic partner in Iran’s war against Israel.
A New Tunnel Project
Beyond military and political cooperation, Iran and Qatar are also deepening their economic ties. The two leaders discussed the construction of an underwater tunnel linking Iran and Qatar, a project that would significantly boost trade between the two countries. Given Iran’s history of using economic infrastructure for military and smuggling operations, this tunnel could become a key route for weapons transfers, funding terror operations, and strengthening Iran’s influence in the Gulf.
The announcement that trade between Iran and Qatar is expected to increase further raises concerns that Qatar is enabling Iran’s illicit activities, particularly as Iran continues to escalate its war efforts against Israel and its allies.
Iran’s Proxy War Expands
This meeting comes at a time when Iran’s terror network is waging war against Israel on multiple fronts. Since the October 7, 2023, massacre when Hamas terrorists murdered over 1,163 Israelis and kidnapped hundreds more. Tehran has intensified its direct and indirect attacks on Israel. Iranian-backed militias in Iraq and Syria, Hezbollah in Lebanon, and the Houthis in Yemen have all joined the war effort, targeting Israeli civilians with rockets, drones, and ballistic missiles.
The deepening alliance between Iran and Qatar raises serious concerns about the future of the Middle East. While Qatar presents itself as a diplomatic player in hostage negotiations, its coordination with Iran and continued financial and political support for Hamas reveal a different reality: it is actively fueling the war against Israel.
With Iran pressing ahead with its regional ambitions and Qatar strengthening its ties with the Islamic Republic, Israel and its allies must remain vigilant. The war against Hamas is not just a battle against a single terror group it is a fight against an entire axis of terror led by Iran, with Qatar now openly standing by its side.
