Qatar Urges Immediate De-escalation, Condemns Iran’s Attacks on Key Energy Infrastructure

Doha, March 2026 : Qatar on Thursday strongly condemned what it described as “Iran’s aggression” in the region and called for an immediate halt to hostilities, warning that continued escalation could severely destabilize the Gulf and disrupt global energy security.

Speaking at a joint press briefing in Doha with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, Qatar’s Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani rejected Tehran’s justification for the attacks. He stated that Iran’s claim of targeting only US bases was “unacceptable and unjustified,” particularly in light of recent strikes that have impacted critical civilian infrastructure.

The Qatari leadership expressed deep concern over Wednesday’s missile attack on the Ras Laffan Industrial City, one of the world’s most important liquefied natural gas (LNG) processing facilities. The minister warned that any disruption at the site would have far-reaching consequences, not only for Qatar but for global energy markets and millions of consumers worldwide.

“This facility is vital not just for Qatar but for the entire world. Any attack on it will have repercussions on energy supplies and global stability,” he said, urging Iran to cease its actions and avoid widening the conflict.

Reiterating Doha’s position, Sheikh Mohammed stressed that expanding the war would only deepen instability in an already volatile region. “Iran must stop its attacks and refrain from escalating the conflict. Any expansion of this war will not bring stability,” he added.

In parallel diplomatic efforts, Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani held a phone conversation with Keir Starmer, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, to discuss the evolving regional situation. According to the Qatar News Agency, both leaders expressed concern over the continued escalation and its implications for regional and international security.

During the call, the UK Prime Minister strongly condemned the targeting of Ras Laffan Industrial City, calling it a clear violation of international norms and conventions. He reaffirmed Britain’s commitment to Qatar’s security and emphasized the urgent need for de-escalation and a return to diplomatic dialogue. Both sides also discussed ways to contain tensions and intensify international efforts to prevent the conflict from spreading further.

The crisis has prompted a broader regional response. On Wednesday, foreign ministers from several countries—including Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Turkey, and the United Arab Emirates—held a consultative meeting to address the situation. The participants collectively condemned Iran’s missile and drone attacks on Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, particularly those targeting civilian infrastructure.

In a joint statement, the countries denounced the strikes on residential areas, oil facilities, water desalination plants, airports, diplomatic premises, and other critical infrastructure, describing them as deliberate and unjustifiable. The statement emphasized that such actions cannot be defended under any circumstances.

The participating nations also reaffirmed the right of states to defend themselves in accordance with Article 51 of the United Nations Charter. At the same time, they called on Iran to immediately halt its attacks, respect international law and humanitarian principles, and adhere to the norms of good neighborly relations.

The statement further underscored the importance of diplomacy as the primary means to resolve the crisis. Countries urged all parties to prioritize dialogue and take concrete steps toward de-escalation to restore stability in the region.

As tensions continue to rise, Qatar’s appeal highlights growing international concern over the potential for a wider conflict that could disrupt not only regional peace but also critical global energy supplies.