TEHRAN, Oct. 17 (Xinhua) -- Iranian President Hassan Rouhani criticized foreign interference in the internal affairs of Qatar, Tasnim news agency reported on Wednesday.

In a meeting with Qatar's new ambassador to Tehran on Tuesday, Rouhani said Iran and Qatar have developed warm and cordial relations in recent years.

The stances of the two countries on regional issues have grown much closer, he was quoted as saying.

The Iranian president slammed as "unacceptable" what he called foreign interference in the internal affairs of Qatar.

He added that "we believe the Qatari nation is great and the Qatari authorities are also running their country with prudence."

Rouhani expressed the hope for expansion of Tehran-Doha ties during the new ambassador's term, pointing to the grounds for cooperation in the economic and political arenas, investment, banking industry and tourism.