The emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, arrived in Tehran on Wednesday for a state visit.

In addition to President Masoud Pezeshkian, the emir is also expected to meet Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

The talks are expected to focus on expanding bilateral relations, the Iranian state news agency IRNA.

As Qatar has repeatedly acted as a mediator between Iran and the United States in the past, observers have speculated that Tamim may be bringing a message from US President Donald Trump to Tehran.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has neither confirmed nor denied Qatar’s mediator role so far.

Iran is mired in a severe economic crisis. The backdrop includes harsh Western sanctions, partly due to its controversial nuclear programme.

The national currency, the rial, has been reaching new record lows almost daily. Financial experts suggest that resumption of nuclear negotiations with the US could improve the situation.

Trump recently signalled to Tehran a willingness to engage in talks. However, Khamenei, who has the final say on strategic matters, initially rejected negotiations with the US.

During his first term, in 2018, Trump unilaterally withdrew from the Vienna nuclear deal, which was intended to limit Iran’s nuclear programme in exchange for the lifting of sanctions. Following this, Tehran also stopped adhering to the agreement’s conditions.