Doha: The State of Qatar has stated that Iran must take "a clear decision" to cease attacks on regional countries, rejecting the notion that investigations or joint teams are necessary to address the issue. Speaking at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' weekly media briefing, Advisor to the Prime Minister and Official Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Majed bin Mohammed Al Ansari, emphasized the simplicity of the matter, asserting that the requirement is to halt attacks on countries that have not targeted Iran. He highlighted that Qatar, along with other regional countries, has maintained distance from the conflict and escalation from the onset.
According to Qatar News Agency, Dr. Al Ansari's remarks were in response to statements made by Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi. He further detailed that Qatar remains a target, having been subjected to an attack by five drones on Sunday. He reinforced Qatar's commitment to defending itself and maintaining the right to respond to these aggressions. The Iranian attacks have reportedly targeted civilian and vital facilities within Qatar, including residential areas and key infrastructure at Ras Laffan, Mesaieed, and Hamad International Airport. Additionally, there have been threats from unofficial Iranian media to target specific residential areas in the country.
The spokesperson mentioned an incident involving the evacuation of parts of Doha on Saturday following the interception of an Iranian missile aimed at a residential complex. He reassured that all necessary measures were undertaken to secure citizens and residents, reiterating that Iranian attacks on civilian facilities have persisted. Dr. Al Ansari commended the Qatari Armed Forces for their high competence and readiness, noting their success in intercepting over 90 percent of Iranian attacks, thereby establishing a deterrent to protect the nation.
In terms of diplomatic efforts, Dr. Al Ansari indicated that discussions with Egypt on Sunday involved coordination between Qatar and Egypt, as well as broader Arab collaboration amidst regional developments. He emphasized ongoing communication among Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, with unified opposition against Iranian aggression and calls for de-escalation. This unity is also evident in dialogues with international partners, including the United States and European nations, to enhance regional security and stability.
Highlighting Qatar's diplomatic initiatives, Dr. Al Ansari mentioned discussions between Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani and German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul. They deliberated on regional military escalation and its ramifications. Sheikh Mohammed reiterated Qatar's condemnation of Iranian attacks and warned against targeting crucial infrastructure.
Dr. Al Ansari also noted Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Sultan bin Saad Al Muraikhi's participation in virtual ministerial meetings, including engagements with the GCC, the UK, Morocco, Egypt, and Jordan. In response to recent events, Qatar welcomed the UN Security Council Resolution 2817 condemning Iranian regional attacks and issued several official statements denouncing various international aggressions.
Qatar has also sent a detailed letter to the UN Secretary-General and the US permanent representative to the UN, condemning Iran's attack on its territory as a "flagrant violation" of sovereignty. Furthermore, Qatar announced humanitarian assistance for those affected by the conflict in Lebanon, aiming to support over 40,500 displaced families through the Qatar Fund for Development, in partnership with Qatar Charity and the Qatar Red Crescent.