Qatar urges Iran to cease Gulf attacks and seek diplomatic resolution

Qatar Calls for Immediate Ceasefire in Tensions with Iran

The Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs has urged Iran to halt its attacks on Gulf countries, citing concerns over civilian casualties and infrastructure damage. Majed al-Ansari, a spokesperson for the ministry, made the call during a news conference in Doha on Monday.

According to al-Ansari, Iranian forces have targeted residential areas, energy sites, and Hamad International Airport in Qatar. The spokesman also stated that Iran has been attacking Gulf countries without provocation, emphasizing that Qatar is not involved in the conflict.

The attacks, which began on February 28, have resulted in over 1,400 civilian casualties and significant damage to military and civilian infrastructure, including hospitals, schools, airports, and sea ports. Iranian forces have also fired barrages of drones and missiles at Israel, killing at least 15 people.

Qatar has been urging Iran to stop its attacks, with the Qatari envoy to the United Nations describing the assault as a violation of international law and the UN Charter. Al-Ansari stated that Qatar will defend itself in the event of further attacks.

In response, Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei denied allegations that Tehran was behind some of the attacks targeting Gulf countries. He accused the US and Israel of carrying out some of the strikes and urged foreign governments to investigate.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqhchi has expressed willingness to conduct a joint investigation into the attacks on Gulf nations, but al-Ansari rejected this offer, stating that Iran should stop its attacks on countries that did not target Iranian territory.

Source: Al Jazeera