DOHA - Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani is in Tehran on Sunday amid regional tensions following the US killing of Iranian commander and Iran accidentally shooting down a Ukrainian jetliner.

According to several sources, the reason for the visit is for the Emir of Qatar to offer President Hassan Rouhani $3 billion in compensation for the 176 passengers who lost their lives following Iran’s admission that it shot down the Ukraine-bound aircraft after mistaking it for a ‘hostile target’.

In a statement, Sheikh Tamim was quoted by the Iranian presidency as saying that "Qatar will not forget Iran's position on the sanctions imposed on Doha,” in a tacit nod of acknowledgment for past Iranian support. .

Despite being close to the United States, even hosting Washington’s largest Middle East base, Qatar also enjoys strong ties with Iran, with whom it shares the world’s largest gas field.

Doha’s relationship with Tehran has been a primary contributor to tensions with former Gulf allies the UAE, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia.

Sheikh Tamim is set to meet with President Hassan Rouhani and other top Iranian leaders to discuss regional affairs and bilateral issues.

Qatar's Foreign Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani reportedly called for a peaceful solution that would lead to de-escalation during a visit to Tehran in the immediate aftermath of the US strike on January 3.