The 2017 Qatar Blockade crisis exposed weaknesses in the small Gulf state's reliance on its traditional partners. The closure of the land border with Saudi Arabia, for example, led to supply shortages, while the closure of much of the airspace surrounding Qatar created difficulties for one of the world's largest airlines, Qatar Airways. During this time, Iran stepped up to provide relief to the embattled small state. This book examines the rationales underpinning Qatar's strategic diplomatic engagement with Iran. It reveals a multifaceted, dynamic, and historical interaction between Qatar and Iran that extends beyond politics into the realms of economics, tourism and culture. It forwards the concept of proactive strategic hedging as an assertive foreign policy stance that Qatar has employed with Iran since the 1980s but has increased after the 2017 crisis. The study also finds that Qatar's deliberate efforts to fortify its relations with Iran contrasts markedly with the assertive dominion practiced by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. This diplomatic strategy represents a cautious and nuanced approach to statecraft, with profound repercussions for Qatar's agency within the Gulf region.

This book bases its findings on qualitative content analysis of scholarly treatises, policy annals and grey literature as well as interviews with high-ranking officials, diplomats and academics from both nations. Theoretically, these findings provide insights into how small states practice their strategies in similar geopolitical contexts.