Qatar's prime minister said on Tuesday relations with Iran have been scarred by an Iranian missile volley at a US airbase in the Gulf Arab state, but that he hoped ties would eventually "come back to normal".
Iran responded to US participation in Israel's air war against Iran by firing missiles on Monday at the Al Ubeid air base, but no one was hurt after Tehran gave advance warning, and a ceasefire was announced hours later by Washington.
The Qatari PM strongly condemned the act, calling it a “shocking moment for the Qatari government and people.” He confirmed that only one missile hit its target, while others were intercepted, and thanked friendly GCC nations for their support.
“We do not want to take any action that will further inflame tensions,” he said.
Qatar, situated just across the Gulf from Iran, has often acted as a mediator in regional conflicts, including between Iran and the United States and between Israel and Hamas in the continuing Gaza war.
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"What happened will definitely have its scar on the relationship (with Iran), but I hope by the time everyone learns the lesson that this kind of neighbourhood relationship should not be violated and should not be undermined," Qatar's prime minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, told a press conference with his Lebanese counterpart in Doha.
"The partnership between Qatar and the US is just growing stronger... and I hope the good relationship with Iran comes back to normal as soon as possible," he said.
Al Thani added that Qatar had liaised with Iran at Washington's request to help facilitate the ceasefire.
"We hope the ceasefire will continue as agreed upon, and we urge both the US and Iran to return to the negotiating table with the aim of reaching a comprehensive diplomatic solution, something that Qatar has consistently sought," he said.
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He added that Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian expressed regret in a phone call with Qatar's ruling Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani that Tehran's target in retaliating for US airstrikes was a military base in Qatar.
Qatar made it clear that while it reserves the right to respond, it will continue pursuing diplomatic mediation in coordination with the US.
Al Thani also called on the international community to pressure Israel to agree to a ceasefire in Gaza, similar to the one recently reached with Iran.
“Just like the ceasefire reached with Iran, Israel should be pressured to implement a ceasefire in Gaza,” the Qatari premier said. He confirmed that Qatar, the United States, and Egypt are actively working to revive ceasefire talks in Gaza, though these efforts were delayed due to the outbreak of war between Iran and Israel.
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Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, who also addressed reporters, said Lebanon maintained a neutral stance during the Iran-Israel conflict but demanded that Israel vacate five occupied points in Lebanon.
“We hope the recent ceasefire will hold,” PM Salam said, urging Qatar and the international community to pressure Israel to respect Lebanon's sovereignty.
Both leaders emphasized the need to keep the Middle East free of nuclear weapons. “Keeping this region free of nuclear weapons is in everyone’s interest,” said the Qatari Prime Minister, echoing Lebanon’s similar concerns.
