Iran sends planes of food to Qatar amid concerns of shortages

Iran has sent four cargo planes of food to Qatar and plans to provide 100 tonnes of fruit and vegetable every day, Iranian officials said, amid concerns of shortages after Qatar’s biggest suppliers severed ties with the import-dependent country.

Qatar has been in talks with Iran and Turkey to secure food and water supplies after Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Egypt and Bahrain cut links, accusing Doha of supporting terrorism. Qatar has denied the allegations.

“Following the sanctions … on Qatar, IranAir has so far transported food and vegetables to this country by four flights,” Shahrokh Noushabadi, head of public relations at Iran’s national airline, was quoted as saying by Fars news agency.

The head of the industries, business and trade organisation in the Fars province was also quoted by the Tasnim news agency as saying on Sunday the first planes carrying food to Qatar had flown from the southern city of Shiraz.

“Every day we will export 100 tonnes of fruits and vegetables to Qatar,” Ali Hemmati said.

The head of Iran’s livestock exporters said on Sunday that they had exported 66 tonnes of meat to Qatar in the last two days.

“We will also be sending 90 tonnes of meat in the coming week,” Fars quoted Mansour Pourian as saying.

Qatar was importing 80 per cent of its food requirements from bigger GCC neighbours before they cut ties with the nation of 2.5 million people last week.

Iran, long at odds with Saudi Arabia, has called for the two sides to overcome their differences.