By Javad Heirannia

Continuation PGCC crisis will increase Turkish footprint in Qatar: Entessar

TEHRAN - Nader Entessar, Professor Emeritus of Political Science from university of South Alabama says that Turkey's military base in Qatar allows Ankara to project power in the Persian Gulf while maintaining close ties to Doha.

By Javad Heirannia

PGCC might survive in name only: Chicago professor

TEHRAN – Robert R. Bianchi, a Professor at the University of Chicago, believes that “Nowadays, China and Russia are acquiring greater influence in Iran and the Persian Gulf nations so it is natural that Doha and Muscat are inviting them to balance the destabilizing consequences of American and Saudi policies.”

By Javad Heirannia

PGCC was never effective organization: Shireen Hunter

TEHRAN - Shireen Tahmaasb Hunter, a professor of political science at Georgetown University, tells the Tehran Times that “the PGCC was never an effective organization. Certainly, it has been an unequal partnership in the sense that Saudi Arabia has dominated the Organization.”

PGCC is neither ‘council’ nor ‘cooperation’: advisor

TEHRAN – Hossein Amir Abdollahian, a senior foreign policy advisor to the parliament speaker, has said that neither “council” nor “cooperation” has remained from the [Persian] Gulf Cooperation Council.

FIFA to decide whether Qatar’s neighbors could host some of 2022's games

TEHRAN - Gianni Infantino reiterated that FIFA will decide in March whether neighboring countries could be allowed to host some of Qatar 2022's games.

By Payman Yazdani

Qatar withdraw from OPEC may increase Iran’s production share: Zaccara

TEHRAN - Dr. Luciano Zaccara says Qatar withdraw from OPEC may increase the quota (of power and production) that OPEC may allocate to Iran, which is not in line with the US policy towards Iran. 

 By Fatemeh Salehi

Fragile alliance in the Persian Gulf Cooperation Council

Qatari Energy Minister Saad al-Kaabi announced a few days ago that Qatar intended to leave the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) starting from January 1, 2019. This news has fomented worldwide reactions.

By Payman Yazdani

Iran is able to export 1 million bdp of oil despite U.S. sanctions: expert

TEHRAN - Refereeing to withdrawal of Qatar from OPEC, Omid Shukri says Iran will be able to export 1 million barrels of oil despite Washington's effort to cut Iran's export to zero.

By Payman Yazdani

Political squabbles among OPEC members have weakened its efficacy: Entessar

TEHRAN - Touching upon the Qatar’s reasons to withdraw from OPEC, Prof. Entessar said political squabbles among its members have weakened OPEC's efficacy.  

By Mahmood Khaghani in association with Chris Cook

Iran at the crossroad of 1398 budget

TEHRAN - A journalist called me the other day and requested my opinion with regard to the next Iranian year 1398 budget that it seems the government considers oil prices will be higher than 50 dollars per barrel. I, in turn, asked a Senior Research Fellow at University College London about his prediction with respect to oil market during 2019. He said: "As a wise man said, "It is difficult to make forecasts, especially about the future."

First platform of South Pars phase 13 installed on offshore spot

TEHRAN- The first platform of Iran’s South Pars gas field’s phase 13 of development was installed on its designated offshore spot on Wednesday, Public Relations Department of Pars Oil and Gas Company, which is in charge of developing the gas field, announced.

Energy-Rich Qatar to Pull Out of OPEC in January Amid Isolation in Gulf, Says 'No Potential in Oil'

Qatar is to leave OPEC next month in order for the Gulf state to focus on gas production, Energy Minister Saad al-Kaabi announced on Monday.

Friendly: Iran to play Qatar on Dec. 31

TEHRAN – Iran national football team are scheduled to meet Qatar in a friendly match in Doha on Dec. 31.

Friendly: Iran basketball beat Qatar for second time

TEHRAN – Iran national basketball team defeated Qatar once again in a friendly match Sunday night.

Iran basketball team beat Qatar in friendly

TEHRAN - Iran national basketball team defeated Qatar 75-64 in a friendly match in Doha on Friday as part of preparation for the FIBA World Cup qualifier's fifth and penultimate window.

Iran basketball to face Qatar in preparation for Australia match

TEHRAN – Iran national basketball team will meet Qatar twice as part of preparation for the FIBA World Cup qualifier's fifth and penultimate window.

Qatar not willing to act against Tehran: FT

TEHRAN – It is not clear that the Qataris would be willing to play any active role against Tehran even if the U.S. forces the Saudis to end the blockade against Doha, according to the Financial Times.

Iran could host 2022 World Cup teams, but no decision taken yet

TEHRAN - Qatar is considering offers from other countries to host teams during the 2022 World Cup, but no decision has been taken yet, the head of the organizing committee told AFP on Monday.

By M.A. Saki

Khashoggi scandal: Insult to wisdom of the entire world

The murder of Jamal Khashoggi has proven an extremely huge scandal for the tribal al-Saud family. Probably, worse than the savage murder was repeated denials of the act and contradictory explanations about it.

Doha rejects claim Iran sending arms to Lebanon via Qatar

TEHRAN – The Qatari Transport Ministry on Sunday strongly rejected a Fox News report that Iran has smuggled weapons via the country’s airspace to Lebanon, Fars reported.

Iran to play friendly with Qatar: report

TEHRAN – Iran national football team will meet Qatar in a friendly match prior to the 2019 AFC Asian Cup.

By Javad Heirannia

Al-Saud are valuable for Trump when they pay money: Adib-Moghaddam

TEHRAN - Professor Arshin Adib-Moghaddam, Chair of the Centre for Iranian Studies at the London Middle East Institute believes that for the Trump administration, as for most other countries, the al-Saud are only of value when they pay.

Zarif attends Qatar-International Crisis Group forum

TEHRAN – Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif on Thursday attended a joint Qatar-International Crisis Group forum on the challenges facing the Middle East.

By Javad Heirannia

Qatar cannot bow to Saudi Arabia: Askari

TEHRAN – Professor Hossein Askari, an expert on Saudi Arabia who also teaches international business at the George Washington University, believes that “There is a history of animosity between Qatar and Saudi Arabia and it will not disappear at Camp David.” Hossein Askari, who teaches at George Washington University, tells the Tehran Times that “Qatar cannot bow to Saudi Arabia.”

Rouhani backs deeper ties with Qatar

TEHRAN – Iranian President Hassan Rouhani called on Sunday for deeper ties with Qatar in various political and economic arenas. 

Iran B runners-up at 6th AVC Cup

TEHRAN – Qatar came from two sets down to beat Iran B volleyball team 3-2 (23–25, 21–25, 25–22, 25–18,15–10) at the 6th AVC Cup for Men at the University of Taipei (Tianmu) Gymnasium on Wednesday.

Iran, Qatar football Presidents meet in Moscow

TEHRAN – President of the Football Federation of the Islamic Republic of Iran (FFIRI) Mehdi Taj and Qatar Football Association (QFA) President Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa bin Ahmed al Thani met in Moscow on the sidelines of the 2018 World Cup final on Sunday.