Qatar took a bold step yesterday by saying they were reinstating their ambassador to Iran after a 20-month gap, reported Al Jazeera.

The country had recalled its ambassador in January, 2016, in protest over the ransacking of Saudi Arabia’s missions by protesters angry at Riyadh’s execution of a prominent Shia Muslim cleric.

The latest move is also a show of resolve against demands made by countries involved in the illegal siege of Qatar, which included cutting ties with Iran.    

In a short statement on its official website, the Qatari foreign ministry said its ambassador would ‘return to resume his diplomatic duties,’ as Doha wanted to strengthen ties in all fields with the Islamic republic.

While the information office did not specify an exact date for the ambassador’s return or provide his name, Qatari Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani discussed ‘bilateral relations and means of boosting and developing them’ in a telephone call with his Iranian counterpart Javad Zarif.

Political and business leaders in Qatar have argued that they have to maintain ties with Iran because of the gas field, which Doha calls the North Field and in Tehran is known as South Pars, reported The Peninsula.

Iran has allowed Qatar’s national carrier to use its airspace and sent fresh food supplies to Doha after the start of the blockade.

Meanwhile, Iran welcomed Qatar’s decision to return its ambassador to Tehran as a ‘positive and logical’ step.

“Their ambassador had been recalled to Doha for certain consultations, and his return to Tehran is considered a logical and positive move,” Qatar Tribune reported, quoting Foreign Ministry Spokesman Bahram Qassemi.

“Iran believes that restoration of security and stability would lead to economic development and non-interference of trans-regional powers,” he said, adding that Iran is ready to spare no efforts to remove ambiguities and problems through political means.