Qatar condemns attacks on its sovereignty, urges calm in Middle East

Qatar has called for an immediate de-escalation of hostilities in the Middle East and urged both Iran and the United States to return to the negotiating table for a mediated solution, Mohammed bin Abdulaziz al-Khulaifi, Qatar’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, told Al Jazeera in an exclusive interview.

Al-Khulaifi criticized Iran’s missile and drone attacks on neighboring countries, saying they “bring benefit for no one.” The attacks, which are in response to a nearly two-week-long bombardment campaign by US and Israeli forces, have caused casualties, damaged critical infrastructure, and severely disrupted the Gulf region’s energy-dependent economy.

Qatar remains “extremely worried” about the broader impact of the strikes, particularly on civilian infrastructure. “It’s unfortunate where we are standing right now,” the minister said. “We also believe that there is no pathway to a sustainable and long-lasting solution other than returning to the negotiation table.”

He condemned the “unjustified and outrageous attacks on the state of Qatar that directly impact its own sovereignty” and stressed that Doha will continue to take “every possible and legal measure to defend and practise its exercise of self-defence against this aggression.”

Highlighting the strategic importance of the Strait of Hormuz, al-Khulaifi called for a “global solution” to ensure the Gulf’s energy supply chain remains uninterrupted. “Ensuring freedom of movement through the waterway is very critical,” he said.

The minister also noted that Iran has targeted Qatar and Oman, two countries that previously acted as regional mediators attempting to “build bridges between Iran and the West.” “We will not be able to fulfil that role under attack, and that’s something the Iranians need to understand,” he added.

Al-Khulaifi said Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani recently urged Iran to cease attacks during a phone call with Tehran. “The regional countries are not an enemy of Iran, and the Iranians are not understanding that idea,” he said.

Doha continues to maintain open channels with US officials, encouraging President Donald Trump to pursue peaceful resolutions. “Our line of communication is always open with our colleagues in the United States, and we keep encouraging and supporting the pathway of peace and resolving conflicts through peaceful means,” al-Khulaifi said. “We really hope that the parties can find that pathway, end military operations, and return to the negotiation table.”

By Vafa Guliyeva