Iranian Minister of Communications Mohammad Javad Azari Jahromi has said Iran is offering Qatar the chance to hire companies from the Islamic Republic to work with the small Persian Gulf Arab kingdom in preparing the 2022 FIFA World Cup, according to a report from ILNA.

Iran, unless it is relieved of the heavy sanctions regime imposed on it by the US, is unlikely to play a part in the official proceedings of the football tournament, but there is potential for third-party companies, including those offering food and construction materials such as steel and cement, to play a role in the build-up to the big event.

The Iranian minister met with Qatar’s Prime Minister Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani on the sidelines of the current Qatar Information Technology Conference and Exhibition (QITCOM 2019).

Jahromi reportedly hinted at obtaining a more significant role for Iranian telecommunications firms in Qatar, saying “the current level of economic relations of companies in this [telecoms and ICT] sector is not proportional to the friendly atmosphere [between Iran and Qatar].”

Iran has proved an ally to Qatar in its political standoff with fellow Arab countries led by Saudi Arabia, which is leading a blockade against the small, gas-rich nation.

Qatar's PM announced his country’s full support for the development of relations with Iran in the field of technology and innovation as well as its backing for the growing cooperation between respective ministries.

Themed "Safe Smart Cities", QITCOM 2019 features an edition of the Smart City Expo staged in partnership with FIRA Barcelona.

Attended by over 300 technology exhibitors, 100 young startups and 300 technology experts and entrepreneurs, the gathering is a one-stop-shop for participants to showcase disruptive smart technologies.