Deescalation is a priority for Qatar, despite the fact that it has become a target of Iran in this Middle East war – which has been raging for ten days – stated the prime minister of the Arab country, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani.
Speaking exclusively to Sky News, Qatar’s prime minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani characterized Iran’s attacks on Gulf countries as a “dangerously miscalculated move,” warning that escalation threatens to destabilize the region and cause shock to the global economy.
On February 28, 2026, American and Israeli forces launched an attack against Iran, which responded by targeting Israel and Gulf countries hosting American facilities.
After repeated missile and drone attacks, Qatar’s prime minister said the country had entered what he called “a very difficult period,” but praised the professionalism of its defense and security forces.
Iran “betrayed us”
“It’s a great sense of betrayal,” Al Thani said regarding Iran’s aggressive actions.
“Just one hour after the war began, Qatar and other Gulf countries came under attack. We made it clear that we would not participate in any war against our neighbors,” he added.
“All the attacks on Gulf countries… we never expected this from our neighbor,” he said. “We always tried to maintain a good relationship with Iran, but the justifications and pretexts they use are completely rejected,” he emphasized.
While condemning the attacks, Qatar’s prime minister stressed that military escalation would only worsen the crisis and that the responsibility for stepping back lies with all sides. “We continue to pursue deescalation,” he said. “They are our neighbors, it’s our destiny.”
Diplomacy remains the only viable way out of the crisis, says Qatar’s prime minister
His message was not directed only at Tehran. He also called on the United States to reduce tensions, warning of the danger that the entire region could slide into a generalized war.
As he argued, diplomacy remains the only viable way out of the crisis.
“The Iranians’ miscalculation to attack Gulf countries destroyed everything,” he said, but insisted that the response now must be to restart negotiations.
He also rejected claims that Iranian strikes targeted exclusively military installations. International airports, water facilities, and natural gas infrastructure have been targeted by Tehran.
Qatar’s prime minister added: “25% of the attacks target civilian infrastructure. What does this have to do with war? What are they trying to achieve?”
He continually returned to the global consequences of the conflict, emphasizing that what happens in the Gulf will not stay only in the Gulf.
Qatar supplies about 20% of the world’s natural gas and is one of the world’s largest fertilizer producers – meaning any prolonged disruption will affect markets, the global food chain, and people across the planet.
