Doha – In a sharp escalation of Qatar Iran relations, Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani condemned Iran’s recent missile strike on Qatar as “unexpected and unacceptable.”
Speaking at a joint press conference with Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam in Doha, he described the attack as a violation of diplomatic norms and Qatar’s sovereignty.
“The Iranian attack on Qatar took us by surprise. It was a significant blow to the Qatari people, and we strongly denounce it,” he said. While emphasizing that Qatar does not wish to completely sever ties with its neighbor, the Prime Minister noted that such actions could have serious implications for Qatar Iran relations moving forward.
Highlighting the role of national defense, he praised the swift and effective response of Qatar’s air defense systems in intercepting the attack. “Our armed forces have demonstrated their full capability to defend our nation’s sovereignty,” he said, in a clear message to Iran and the wider region.
Expressing concern over mounting regional instability, the Qatari PM reiterated the country’s commitment to peace. He referenced recent Iran Israel ceasefire news, noting that the breakthrough was made possible with support from Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) partners. He urged all parties to de-escalate for the sake of broader Middle East peace.
Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, present at the conference, expressed full solidarity with Qatar. He not only backed Qatar’s response to the Iran attack on Qatar, but also criticized Israel’s actions against Iran, calling them violations of international law. “Any strike against national sovereignty, whether by Iran or Israel, undermines international stability,” Salam added.
This marks Qatar’s first official response to the ongoing crisis, underscoring the fragile state of Qatar Iran relations in light of the recent conflict. As tensions between Iran and Israel continue to generate fallout across the region, Gulf states are beginning to take firm diplomatic positions.
