Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani has reiterated Qatar’s condemnation of Iran’s missile attack on Al Udeid airbase.
Addressing the media in Doha alongside visiting Lebanese Prime Minister, Nawaf Salam, Sheikh Mohammed said that the attack is “an unacceptable act, especially as Qatar has been making great diplomatic efforts in order to de-escalate the situation.”
He noted that the country was “taken by surprise” by the move from what it considers a friendly neighbour.
He praised the Qatari armed forces for “fending off the attack”, saying they shot down all the Iranian-deployed missiles except one.
The Qatari Prime Minister stated that Qatar has considered responding to Iran’s attack on Al Udeid but always acts with “reason and prudence.”
“The message we would like to send out is that Qatar … succeeded in proving to all that it is capable of defending its territory, its homeland, its people and the residents in Qatar. We all stood united in the attack.”
Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani
Also, he disclosed that Qatari Emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani received a phone call from Iranian President, Masoud Pezeshkian in which they discussed Iran’s attack on Al Udeid.
He said that the Emir emphasised that Qatar always “adopts principles of good neighbourliness” and had “not expected such a hostile act” from Iran.
He noted that the Emir spoke of potential diplomatic and legal responses but stressed “the matter should be contained at the earliest and put behind our backs.”
He also cast the hostilities in the region as the ultimate “repercussion of the expanding Israeli aggression and belligerence in Gaza” which Qatar has been working to stop from spiralling across the region.
“Time is opportune for the whole world to stand united to put an end to Israel’s irresponsible actions in the region.”
Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani
Additionally, the Qatari Prime Minister said that Qatar, on the request of the US, reached out to Iran to help mediate the Israel-Iran ceasefire.
He expressed that Qatar “welcomes” the ceasefire but is concerned about reported violations.
“The violations of the ceasefire witnessed this morning are unacceptable and we hope that the ceasefire will hold and diplomacy will prevail.”
Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani
The Qatari foreign ministry summoned Iranian Ambassador, Ali Saleh Abadi to protest the IRGC’s attack on the Al Udeid airbase, condemning the assault as a “flagrant violation of its sovereignty and airspace.”
The ministry affirmed Qatar’s right to respond, according to a statement.
It also emphasised to the Iranian Ambassador that “this violation is completely inconsistent” with the principle of good neighbourliness and the close relations between Qatar and Iran, especially since Doha “has always been an advocate of dialogue with Iran and has exerted tireless diplomatic efforts in this regard.”
In a separate statement, the ministry said that it has sent a letter to UN Secretary General, Antonio Guterres as well as the Security Council denouncing the IRGC’s “extremely dangerous escalation” and saying the attack posed a “direct threat to regional peace and security.”
Iran Calls Attack On Al Udeid Airbase Exercise Of Self-Defence
Meanwhile, Esmaeil Baghaei, the Spokesman of Iran’s Foreign Ministry said on X that the missile attack on Al Udeid base was a legitimate response under Article 51 of the UN Charter.
He stated that the attack was retaliation for the “unprovoked aggression against Iran’s territorial integrity and national sovereignty” by the US on Sunday, when it hit three of Iran’s nuclear sites.
He emphasised that Iran values its ties with neighbours, and warned that the US is trying to cause “division” in the region.
READ ALSO: Strait of Hormuz Tensions Could Deepen Global Oil Crisis – Dr. Yussif
