During a meeting in Doha on Wednesday night with Qatar’s Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, Baqeri Kani announced that a high-ranking Qatari delegation recently visited Tehran to pay respects to the late President Ebrahim Raisi and offer condolences to the Iranian government and people. He emphasized this gesture as a symbol of the deepening bonds between both nations.

Baqeri Kani praised the strong political and economic relations between Iran and Qatar, crediting President Raisi and the late Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian for fostering stable bilateral ties. He reaffirmed Iran’s commitment to strengthening relationships with its neighbors, highlighting the neighborliness policy of President Raisi’s government as pivotal for regional security and sustainable development.

Regarding the ongoing Israeli offensive in Gaza, Baqeri Kani urged collective regional efforts to end what he termed as genocide and to support the oppressed population of Gaza, emphasizing humanitarian crisis mitigation and regional stabilization.

Qatar’s Foreign Minister and Prime Minister also acknowledged the contributions of late Iranian leaders in enhancing Doha-Tehran relations and supporting Palestine. He expressed concern over the dangerous regional situation, particularly in Gaza, underscoring the importance of continuous Iran-Qatar consultations for regional stability and security.

In related diplomatic efforts, Baqeri Kani met with Ismail Haniyeh, head of Hamas’ political bureau, in Doha on Thursday. He stressed the necessity for Palestinian resistance groups to leverage all means to impose costs on Israel for its aggression in Gaza, advocating for a comprehensive strategy encompassing armed struggle, legal, political, and diplomatic efforts.

Baqeri Kani commended the resilience of the Palestinian people and outlined Iran’s ongoing political support for their cause. Haniyeh expressed gratitude for Iran’s support and highlighted significant regional and global developments, including shifts in Israel’s political and international standing and growing opposition to its policies in the West and the U.S.

Both emphasized the strategic changes in regional dynamics and Hamas’ persistence against Israeli actions in Gaza, with Haniyeh asserting that nearly nine months of Israeli military aggression had not achieved its objectives. He called for mechanisms that meet all Palestinian demands and highlighted the severe humanitarian crisis in Gaza, emphasizing the urgent need for international intervention to alleviate suffering and end the violence.