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Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al Thani described Iran’s attacks on Gulf states as a “dangerous miscalculation” and warned that the escalation risks destabilizing the region and sending shockwaves through the global economy.
Speaking to the media for the first time since Qatar repeatedly experiencing missile and drone attacks, the prime minister told Sky News the country had entered what he called a “very difficult time” – but praised the professionalism of his defense and security forces.
What strikes me as someone who has mediated some of the world’s most complex crises is how angry he is about Iran’s actions.
“This is a great betrayal,” he told me. “Just an hour after the start of the war, Qatar and other Gulf states were attacked. We made it clear that we will not take part in a war against our neighbors.”
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For a country that has long kept diplomatic channels open with Tehran – even in its most turbulent times – the tone was surprising.
Qatar has traditionally positioned itself as a global mediator, able to talk to everyone. Relations with Tehran now appear tense.
“All the attacks on the Gulf countries – we never expected this from our neighbors,” he said. “We have always tried to maintain good relations with Iran, but the justifications and pretexts they use are completely rejected.”
Although he condemned the attack, the prime minister repeatedly stressed that military escalation would only deepen the crisis – and that the responsibility to withdraw lay with all parties.
“We continue to strive for de-escalation,” he said. “They are our neighbors – it is our destiny.”
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His message was aimed not only at Tehran. He also called on the US to reduce tensions, and warned of the risk of the entire region being plunged into war.
Diplomacy, according to him, remains the only way out of this crisis.
“Iran’s miscalculation to attack the Gulf countries has destroyed everything,” he said, but stressed that the answer must now be through new negotiations.
He also rejected claims that Iran’s attacks were aimed at military targets.
International airports, water utilities and gas infrastructure have all been targeted by Tehran.
The prime minister added: “25% of attacks target civilian facilities. What does this have to do with war? What are they trying to achieve?”
Time and time again, he returned to the global stakes – and that what happened in the Gulf will not continue to happen in the Gulf.
Qatar supplies around 20% of the world’s gas and is one of the world’s largest fertilizer producers – meaning any sustained disruption will impact markets, food supplies and communities around the world.
Although the Gulf states insist that this is not their struggle, they are an integral aspect of the struggle.
And, perhaps, that is the main danger today – the war that started between the US, Israel and Iran is now dragging in countries that did not want to be part of the war, but increasingly find themselves on the front lines.
