Qatar restores diplomatic ties with Iran
It's safe to say a two-month-old blockade of Qatar by Saudi Arabia and its Gulf allies isn't having the desired effect.
The Qatari foreign minister today said his government was restoring diplomatic ties with Tehran as part of an "aspiration to strengthen bilateral relations with the Islamic Republic of Iran in all fields".
In a surprise move in June, Saudi Arabia put on the blockade and accused Qatar of sponsoring terrorism and spying for Iran. In turn, Qatar has turned to allies including Turkey and Oman.
"Restoring ties with Iran when they are being told to distance themselves from Iran shows that Qatar is turning its back on the other Gulf states," Dubai-based political analyst Abdulkhaleq Abdullah told the FT. "The rupture seems destined to continue for some time."