Qatar’s Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs stated that “evidence on the ground” disproved the Iranian claim and decried the strikes as a “flagrant violation” of Qatar’s sovereignty.
Qatar categorically rejected on Wednesday an Iranian claim that recent missile attacks were not intentionally directed towards Qatar and accused Iran of trying to drag the Gulf state into a war.
Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani stated that “evidence on the ground” disproved the Iranian claim, according to a statement released by the Qatari Foreign Affairs Ministry on X/Twitter.
The statement came after al-Thani spoke on the phone with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, during which Araghchi claimed that the missile strikes were “directed at American interests and were not intended to target the Gulf state.”
Al-Thani decried the strikes as a “flagrant violation” of Qatar’s sovereignty and international law, citing the fact that the Iranian attacks were aimed at Doha’s Hamad International Airport, civilian areas, vital infrastructure, and industrial zones.
Al-Thani additionally disputed Araghchi’s assertion that the attacks were just missile strikes.
In addition to missiles, Qatar was also targeted by drones and Iranian fighter jets entering Qatari airspace. Two Iranian Su-24 fighter jets were shot down on Monday, according to the Qatari defense ministry.
Al-Thani asserted that Iran’s actions and denials do not “indicate any genuine desire for de-escalation or resolution” and reflect “an escalatory approach.”
He further accused Iran of intentionally seeking to harm its neighbors and draw them into a war “that is not theirs.”
Al-Thani urged Iran to immediately halt all attacks on regional states and “prioritize the broader interests of their peoples,” rather than attacking countries that have sought to avoid involvement in war.
The Iranian attacks will “not go unanswered,” he stated, stressing that Qatar will “respond to any violation of its sovereignty, security or territorial integrity.”
Pezeshkian claims Iran respects the sovereignty of neighboring nations
In addition to Araghchi, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian also claimed that Iran respects the sovereignty of neighboring nations in a statement released on X/Twiter.
Addressed to the “esteemed leaders of [Iran’s] friendly and neighboring countries,” Pezeshkian’s statement asserted that Iran strived “through diplomacy to avoid war,” but ultimately had no choice but to defend itself from “American-Zionist military aggression.”
“We respect your sovereignty and still believe that the region’s peace must be ensured by the countries of the region,” Pezeshkian stated.