Ankara: Iran and Qatar can move beyond recent 'painful events' and resume bilateral cooperation, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said on Thursday. His remarks came during a meeting with Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani.

According to Anadolu Agency, President Pezeshkian emphasized that all the legal rights of the Iranian people must be recognized. He stated, "The Islamic Republic of Iran demands nothing beyond its legal rights and will not surrender to pressure or bullying." Pezeshkian highlighted that Iran and Qatar had planned numerous joint initiatives, but these were delayed by the ongoing conflict, affecting the implementation of agreements and the development of bilateral relations.

President Pezeshkian accused Israel of attempting to obstruct the establishment of close relations among Muslim countries. The visit by Sheikh Mohammed, who also serves as Qatar's foreign minister, is part of Doha's ongoing efforts to de-escalate tensions between Iran and the United States.

This marks Sheikh Mohammed's first visit to Iran since the conflict began with US and Israeli strikes in late February. A memorandum of understanding was signed between the US and Iran in June, following mediation by Pakistan and Qatar. However, its implementation has stalled due to differences over navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, a critical passage for global oil supplies before the war.

In June 2025, during the 12-day war with Israel, Iran targeted the Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, which hosts US military forces. Iran also launched retaliatory attacks on several Gulf countries, including Qatar, following US-Israeli strikes earlier this year.