Tensions soared in the Middle East on Monday as Qatar condemned Iran’s missile strike targeting the US-run Al Udeid Air Base near Doha, calling it a “flagrant violation” of its sovereignty and international law.
Dr. Majid bin Mohammed Al-Ansari, Advisor to the Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Ministry Spokesperson, said on X (formerly Twitter) that the Iranian attack breached the UN Charter and Qatar’s territorial integrity. He warned that Qatar “reserves the right to respond directly” in line with international law, matching the scale of the aggression.
The State of Qatar strongly condemns the attack that targeted Al-Udeid Air Base by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard. We consider this a flagrant violation of the sovereignty of the State of Qatar, its airspace, international law, and the United Nations Charter. We affirm that Qatar reserves the right to respond directly in a manner equivalent with the nature and scale of this brazen aggression, in line with international law. We reassure that Qatar’s air defenses successfully thwarted the attack and intercepted the Iranian missiles. A detailed statement regarding the circumstances of the attack will be issued later by the Ministry of Defense. We also emphasize that the continuation of such escalatory military actions will undermine security and stability in the region, dragging it into situations that could have catastrophic consequences for international peace and security. We call for the immediate cessation of all military actions and for a serious return to the negotiating table and dialogue. Furthermore, the State of Qatar was one of the first countries to warn against the dangers of Israeli escalation in the region. We have consistently called for diplomatic solutions to be prioritized and have stressed the importance of good-neighborliness and avoiding escalation. We reaffirm that dialogue is the only way to overcome the current crises and ensure the security of the region and the peace of its people. The base had been evacuated earlier, following established security and precautionary measures, given the tensions in the region. All necessary steps were taken to ensure the safety of personnel at the base, including Qatari Armed Forces members, friendly forces, and others. We confirm that no injuries or human casualties resulted from the attack.
The State of Qatar strongly condemns the attack that targeted Al-Udeid Air Base by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard. We consider this a flagrant violation of the sovereignty of the State of Qatar, its airspace, international law, and the United Nations Charter. We affirm that…
— د. ماجد محمد الأنصاري Dr. Majed Al Ansari (@majedalansari) June 23, 2025
Iran reportedly launched six missiles aimed at US air bases in Qatar, sparking explosions heard over Doha and triggering immediate airspace closure. Qatar’s air defense systems successfully intercepted the missiles, and no injuries or casualties were reported, as the base had been evacuated earlier following standard security protocols.
The Qatari Foreign Ministry emphasized that continued military escalations “will undermine regional stability” and drag the region into “catastrophic consequences.” They reiterated their call for an immediate cessation of hostilities and a return to dialogue.
This comes amid ongoing Iranian threats to retaliate against the US following recent reported strikes on its nuclear facilities. The White House and Pentagon are closely monitoring the threat to Al Udeid and related developments in Iraq.
This is a developing story.
