Iran’s Raisi hopes Qatar gasoline discussion board will enhance relations with different Gulf international locations

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi gestures as he speaks at Tehran’s Friday prayer on the event of the forty third anniversary of the Islamic Revolution of Iran in Tehran, Iran, February 11, 2022. President Web site/WANA (West Asia Information Company)/Handout through REUTERS

DUBAI, Feb 21 (Reuters) – Iran’s president Ebrahim Raisi stated on Monday he hopes a visit to Qatar to attend a regional gasoline convention will enhance political and commerce relations with Gulf international locations.

“Iran is likely one of the founders of the Gasoline Exporting International locations Discussion board (GECF) as a result of we’re among the many three most essential gasoline producing and exporting international locations,” Raisi stated in remarks carried by state tv earlier than he left Tehran.

The go to is the primary by an Iranian President to Qatar in eleven years and is Raisi’s third international journey since taking workplace.

Iran has confronted gasoline shortages at house due to file excessive consumption notably for winter family heating and has needed to minimize provides to cement vegetation and different industries.

Washington and Tehran are in the midst of oblique talks on salvaging Iran’s 2015 settlement with world powers amid rising Western fears about Tehran’s accelerating nuclear advances, seen by Western powers as irreversible except a deal is struck quickly.

Reporting by Dubai Newsroom; Modifying by Lincoln Feast.

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