Iran FM calls for dialog to resolve Gulf diplomatic row

By Murat Karadag

ISTANBUL (AA) - Iran’s Foreign Ministry on Monday called for diplomacy and dialog to end a severe diplomatic crisis that has erupted between Qatar and several other Arab states.

In a statement, ministry spokesman Bahram Ghassemi expressed his country’s desire to see a short-term resolution of the diplomatic row.

“These days, we are all linked to one another,” Ghassemi said, describing recent attempts by the Gulf States to punish Doha -- by, for example, closing their land borders with Qatar -- as “ineffective”.

“Such sanctions are not effective,” he said. “This is not acceptable behavior.”

Earlier Monday, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, Yemen and Egypt all cut diplomatic relations with Qatar, citing “national security” concerns.