With Iran’s nuclear program rapidly advancing and nationwide protests rocking the Islamic Republic, America’s top diplomats will attend the World Cup games and hold talks as tensions in the region remain high in Qatar.
A top US diplomat landed in Qatar on Monday to attend the World Cup game and denounce the region amid nationwide protests that threaten Iran’s rapid nuclear program and the Islamic Republic. The meeting was held in a tense atmosphere.
US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken, a football fan, and the player himself are at the Ahmad bin Ali Stadium on Monday night when the US plays Wales.
Blinken will also hold important diplomatic talks with officials in Qatar, one of the United States. A reliable interlocutor with Iran. Doha shares huge offshore natural gas fields with Tehran.
Iran also provided air routes for Qatar Airways flights and delivered food to Qatar. Meanwhile, four Arab countries have boycotted Doha for years.
The Blinken visit is part of a strategic dialogue with Qatar, which houses approximately 8,000 US soldiers at the massive Al-Udeid Air Base, the forward headquarters of US Central Command. The base served as a key hub during his chaotic 2021 US withdrawal from Afghanistan and the evacuation of Afghan civilians.
Daniel Benaim, a deputy assistant secretary for the Arabian Peninsula Affairs at the State Department before Blinken’s trip, said:
“Qatar is a steadfast and important partner to the United States, and U.S.-Qatar ties continue to grow.”
“Together, we’ve made important progress on a range of issues, including facilitating the travel of at-risk Afghans to the United States for new beginnings, strengthening regional security, and expanding commercial investment ties between our countries.”
Iran is an important topic of discussion. Iran now has enough uranium enriched to 60% of hers to recycle into nuclear weapons fuel if needed, according to non-proliferation experts.
Tehran, which claims its program to be peaceful, has greatly expanded its program since the collapse of its nuclear deal with world powers in 2015.
Iran, meanwhile, has been rocked by months of protests over the death of a 22-year-old woman previously arrested by the country’s deputies.
At least 419 people have died in the crackdown by authorities and violence linked to the demonstrations, according to Iranian human rights activists, a group that monitors the protests. Iran will also participate in the World Cup, where they will face the USA on November 29th.
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