Qatar’s Foreign Minister says that “countries in the region are not enemies of Iran” | War between the United States and Israel against Iran News

Mohammed bin Abdulaziz al-Khulaifi also says Qatar and Oman cannot act as mediators while under attack.

Qatar’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs called for a reduction in hostilities across the Middle East and urged Iran and the United States to return to the negotiating table to find a mediated solution.

In an exclusive interview with Al Jazeera, Mohammed bin Abdulaziz al-Khulaifi said that Iran’s attacks on its regional neighbors bring “no benefits to anyone.”

Iran has responded to a nearly two-week bombing campaign by the United States and Israel by firing missiles and drones at its neighbors in the Gulf region and beyond, causing casualties, damaging critical infrastructure and severely disrupting the region’s energy-driven economy.

Al-Khulaifi said Qatar remains “extremely concerned” about the broader range of attacks, including against civilian infrastructure.

“The situation we find ourselves in now is regrettable,” said the minister.

“We also believe that there is no other path to a sustainable and lasting solution than to return to the negotiating table,” he told Al Jazeera.

Qatar condemns in the “strongest terms the unjustified and outrageous attacks against the State of Qatar that directly affect its own sovereignty,” he said.

Doha will continue to adopt “all possible legal measures to defend and practice its exercise of self-defense against this aggression,” he added.

Al-Khulaifi said the conflict demands a “global solution” to ensure the Gulf energy supply chain continues to move through the Strait of Hormuz, where global traffic has been severely disrupted by the conflict.

Ensuring freedom of movement through the waterway is “very critical,” he said.

It is notable, Al-Khulaifi noted, that Iran has targeted countries like Qatar and Oman, which had previously acted as regional mediators and had attempted to “build bridges between Iran and the West.”

No country can play that role while attacks continue, he said.

“We will not be able to fulfill that role under attack, and that is something the Iranians need to understand.”

Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani attempted to convey those points during a phone call with Tehran several days ago, the foreign minister said, as he urged Iran to cease attacks on its neighbors.

“The countries in the region are not enemies of Iran, and the Iranians do not understand that idea,” Al-Khulaifi told Al Jazeera.

Doha also remains in contact with US officials and has encouraged US President Donald Trump to cease hostilities, he said.

“Our line of communication is always open with our colleagues in the United States and we continue to encourage and support the path of peace and the resolution of conflicts through peaceful means.

“We really hope that the parties can find that path, end military operations and return to the negotiating table.”