Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Ahmed met on Thursday last week, on the sidelines of the CICA conference for Asian countries and raised the level of relations between their countries from normal bilateral relations to strategic bilateral relations. Strategic relations are usually characterized by security and even military cooperation, although in the announcement regarding raising the level of relations between Iran and Qatar, the parties attribute the new cooperation to trade and economic aspects. The Emir of Qatar is quoted in the Iranian spokesperson's statement as supporting Iran's right to use nuclear energy for peaceful purposes and added the following words according to the Iranians:  "One of the wonders of the international community is that the most stubborn opponent of Iran's use of nuclear energy is the regime that has the most dangerous nuclear weapons and (nuclear) arsenal."

According to the news, the Emir of Qatar even thanked the President of Iran for his country's help in preparing the World Cup that will be held in Qatar from November 20 this year. About three months ago, Prime Minister Yair Lapid announced that Israelis who wanted to travel to Qatar to watch the World Cup games would be able to do so. In light of the new relations between Iran and Qatar, which may increase the Iranian security presence in Qatar, perhaps the Ministry of Foreign Affairs should consider this position of Lapid, and express his opinion.