Need to Forge Closer Regional Cooperation

Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei said it is essential that regional states forge closer ties to ease the tense situation in the Middle East. 
“The Islamic Republic of Iran has on numerous occasions announced that it is ready for closer cooperation with regional countries,” he said in a meeting with Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani in Tehran on Sunday, Leader.ir reported. 
He also stressed that the destructive policies pursued by the United States and its allies lie at the root of current critical conditions in West Asia.
On mutual relations between Tehran and Doha, Ayatollah Khamenei said economic collaborations need to be upgraded in line with cordial political relations between the two sides. 
Sheikh Tamim agreed that it is imperative for Middle East countries to engage in comprehensive dialogue to strengthen regional cooperation.  
The visit came amid heightened tensions in the region, following the US assassination of top Iranian commander, Major General Qasem Soleimani, in Baghdad and Iran’s retaliatory missile strikes on US targets in Iraq.
Earlier in the day, the Qatari ruler held separate talks with President Hassan Rouhani and co-chaired a meeting of ministers and other top officials.