The cost of loss of initiative - Qatar (home of THE MAJOR US Base) military now practices with Iran

GERTZ—

Iran and Qatar have begun cooperating in military affairs.

Iranian officials said Qatar, regarded as a leading ally of the United States, participated in Iranian military exercises last year. They said Qatari commanders attended Iranian air and ground maneuvers and were briefed on Teheran’s indigenous combat platforms and battle doctrine.

“Such programs will definitely pave the way for mutual cooperation,” Iranian Vice Adm. Ali Reza Tangsiri, deputy commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy, said.

Tangsiri said Qatari military commanders participated in several Iranian exercises in 2010. He said the cooperation would be extended to the navies of Doha and Teheran.

On Dec. 21, 20 IRGC Navy commanders arrived in Qatar for a three-day visit. The IRGC force consisted of five warships, including two missile boats, as part of what officials termed enhanced military cooperation between Teheran and the Gulf Cooperation Council emirate.

“By consultation and harmony Iran and Qatar can strengthen unity among regional countries and implement security and stability,” Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said.

In a Dec. 20 summit in Teheran, Qatari Emir Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani agreed that Doha would enhance military cooperation with Iran. Hamad said the two countries would focus on regional security.

“Cooperation between Iran and Qatar can guarantee security and stability in the region,” Hamad said.

The Qatari cooperation was said to be the first report that a GCC state was participating in Iranian military exercises. Over the last five years, Iran signed several military and security cooperation accords with GCC states, but none of the agreement were said to have been implemented.

Officials said the latest agreement between Iran and Qatar would focus on energy security and counter-insurgency. They did not elaborate.