Qatari–Iranian Rapprochement and the Position of the Gulf Cooperation Council States toward It, 2000–2021

Abstract

Relations between Iran and the Arab states, particularly the Gulf states, have long been characterized by tension, caution, and mistrust, especially following the Iranian Islamic Revolution of 1979. Qatar, however, developed distinctive strategic relations with Iran beginning in 2000, a period that witnessed a series of reciprocal diplomatic visits between officials of the two countries, leading to a number of agreements in various fields.

The period from 2014 to 2017 witnessed a marked rapprochement between Qatar and Iran against the backdrop of strained relations between Qatar and certain Gulf Arab states, particularly Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. This development further strengthened Qatari–Iranian ties and was reflected in the deterioration of Qatar’s relations with those Arab states. These states sought to boycott Qatar and impose an economic and maritime blockade on it, on the grounds that Qatar had failed to comply with the security agreement issued by the Gulf Cooperation Council in 2014.

The three Gulf states, in addition to Bahrain, accused Qatar of supporting terrorism, to which Qatar responded by further deepening its rapprochement with Iran. In turn, those Gulf Arab states intensified their boycott of Qatar. This study seeks to shed light on the background to the Position of the Gulf Cooperation Council toward Qatari–Iranian rapprochement during the period 2014–2017, particularly the emergence of Kuwait as a mediator in resolving the crisis after a request by the United States to its Emir, Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, to restore relations between Qatar and the aforementioned Arab states to their normal course and to isolate Iran. This mediation culminated in the announcement of reconciliation among the parties to the crisis and the lifting of the blockade on Qatar on January 4, 2021.