Qatar calls on Iran to halt attacks on Gulf countries

ISTANBUL

Qatar called on Iran on Monday to stop attacks on its neighbors, saying Tehran is attacking Gulf countries “without any reason.”

“Iran must stop the attacks immediately so that a diplomatic solution to the crisis can be found,” Foreign Ministry spokesman Majed al-Ansari told a news briefing in Doha.

He said that the Gulf nations are not part of the current conflict.

“Iran is attacking Gulf countries without any reason and must stop its attacks because we are outside the conflict,” the spokesman said.

“Stopping the attacks requires a decision from Iran’s foreign minister, and Qatar will defend itself,” he stressed.

“Contacts are still ongoing with Gulf countries to ensure de-escalation and confront Iran’s attacks.”

Ansari said the strategic reserves of goods in Qatar “have not been used so far.”

“Any threat to maritime navigation and its freedom is a threat to us all,” he warned.

Regional escalation has raged since the US and Israel launched joint attacks on Iran since Feb. 28, killing so far around 1,300 people, including then-Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Tehran has retaliated with drone and missile strikes targeting Israel, along with Jordan, Iraq, and Gulf countries, which it says are targeting “US military assets.” Some of these attacks have caused casualties and damage to civilian infrastructure, including airports, ports and buildings.