Qatar's foreign ministry says it preserves the right of response after Iranian attack - statement
TL;DR
Qatar's foreign ministry asserts its right to respond to an Iranian attack on Al-Udeid Air Base, condemning it as a sovereignty violation and urging diplomatic dialogue to prevent regional escalation.
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Qatar's foreign ministry says it preserves the right of response after Iranian attack - statement
Qatar Reserves Right to Respond to Iranian Attack on Al-Udeid Air Base, Vows to Uphold Sovereignty
The State of Qatar has formally reiterated its right to respond to the June 2025 Iranian Revolutionary Guard attack on Al-Udeid Air Base, which the Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) condemned as a "flagrant violation of sovereignty, airspace, international law, and the United Nations Charter". In a statement, HE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Sultan bin Saad Al Muraikhi emphasized that the attack contradicted principles of good neighborliness and regional stability, while urging an immediate return to diplomatic dialogue.
The attack, which involved a missile barrage targeting the U.S.-operated base, caused no reported injuries due to prior evacuations and Qatari air defenses. However, Qatar's MFA warned that the incident risked escalating regional tensions, with Minister Al Muraikhi stating, "Qatar reserves the right to respond directly in a manner equivalent to the nature and scale of this aggression, in line with international law".
Neighboring Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states, including Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Bahrain, swiftly condemned the attack, aligning with Qatar's stance on sovereignty and de-escalation. Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump characterized the Iranian response as "weak," asserting that no Americans were harmed and framing the exchange as a resolved conflict.
Qatar has separately expressed concern over broader regional instability, particularly following U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities that preceded the Al-Udeid attack. The MFA warned that continued military actions risk "catastrophic consequences" for regional and global stability, reiterating support for peaceful conflict resolution.
As tensions persist, Qatar's measured yet firm response underscores its balancing act between regional diplomacy and sovereignty. Analysts note that the Gulf's economic and geopolitical landscape remains vulnerable to further disruptions, particularly in energy markets and trade routes, should dialogue falter. For now, Qatar's emphasis on legal and diplomatic channels reflects its strategic commitment to stability amid escalating Middle East hostilities.
