Qatar PM says Iran strike ‘scarred’ ties but hopes for return to diplomacy

Qatar's Prime Minister said on Tuesday that Tehran's missile strike on a US airbase in Qatar had left a mark on bilateral relations, but expressed hope that diplomacy would prevail and regional ties would normalize.

Speaking at a joint press conference in Doha alongside Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani called Iran's missile attack a violation of Qatari sovereignty and said legal and diplomatic steps would be taken in response.

“What happened will definitely leave its scar on the relationship,” Al Thani said. “But I hope that in time everyone learns the lesson that neighborhood relations must not be violated or undermined.”

Iran launched missiles at the US-operated Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar on Monday, in retaliation for American attacks on its nuclear sites. No casualties were reported.

Al Thani said that at the request of the US, Qatar had contacted Iranian officials to explore the possibility of a full ceasefire, which he said contributed to the American announcement of a truce. He welcomed the ceasefire and urged all sides to return to diplomacy.

He also confirmed that Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian called Qatar’s Emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, to express regret over the attack, saying it was not intended to target Qatar as a state.

“We made it clear to him that Qatar is a neighboring country that has always maintained good relations with Iran,” Al Thani said.