Sheikh Mohammed Rejects Tehran’s Justifications for Strikes
Qatar’s Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, has issued a strong rebuke of recent Iranian missile and drone attacks on Gulf countries, labelling the strikes as “reckless” and expressing deep concern over the sudden escalation. In a candid interview with Sky News, Sheikh Mohammed said Qatar, along with other Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) nations, was blindsided by the attacks, especially after efforts to nurture good relations with Iran.
“We never expected this to come from our neighbour,” he said, adding that the explanations offered by Tehran were “totally rejected.”
Attacks Followed Promises of Restraint
Sheikh Mohammed revealed that the missile and drone strikes came mere minutes after Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian signaled intentions to halt attacks on neighbouring countries. “Everyone was hopeful, including us, but even right after he made his statement, we had an attack like 10 minutes later,” he explained.
He described a tense situation as the UAE and Bahrain were targeted while regional leaders were still engaged in talks to de-escalate the conflict. Doha was struck soon afterward, compounding fears across the Gulf.
Civilian Infrastructure in the Crosshairs
The Qatari leader condemned not only the targeting of military sites but also the deliberate attacks on civilian infrastructure, including energy facilities, industrial zones, and water systems. He called the strikes a “betrayal,” saying they undermined diplomatic efforts aimed at resolving tensions between Iran and the United States.
One Iranian attack reportedly forced Qatar to declare force majeure at a key gas facility, temporarily halting production and raising further alarm.
Qatar Stands for Peace, But Will Defend Itself
Despite the escalation, Sheikh Mohammed emphasized that Qatar has no desire to join the conflict and continues to advocate for a ceasefire and a return to diplomatic negotiations. However, he made clear that Qatar is prepared to defend its people and territory if necessary.
“We are not part of this war. We don’t want to be dragged into it. But defending our country will remain a principle that will never change,” he said.
Qatar, alongside its Gulf neighbours, remains committed to a peaceful, diplomatic solution to the ongoing crisis while taking every necessary step to protect its citizens and vital national interests.
