Iran reassures Qatar that base attack aimed at US, vows to enhance bilateral ties

In a phone call with Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Pezeshkian said the attack on the US base should not be seen as a hostile act toward Qatar, calling the Gulf nation a “neighbouring, friendly, and brotherly country,” according to a statement issued by his office.

The call came a day after Iran launched a barrage of missiles at the US base in Qatar, calling it a response to Sunday’s American attacks on three Iranian nuclear sites.

Qatar condemned the Iranian attack as a violation of its territorial integrity and sovereignty.

The statement said Pezeshkian contacted the Qatari emir to convey that Monday’s attack “was merely a reaction to America’s involvement in the Zionist (Israeli) regime’s attack on Iranian territory.”

“It should not be interpreted as a confrontation between the Islamic Republic and the friendly nation of Qatar,” he told the Qatari leader, adding that the Iranian government and people are aware of Doha’s “brotherly and supportive positions.”

He emphasized that Iran had been engaged in negotiations with the US to de-escalate tensions when Israel launched attacks on June 13, adding that talks “under military pressure” were essentially meant to “impose the aggressor’s terms.”

He reiterated his appreciation for Qatar’s efforts to stop the war, citing Doha’s role in brokering the truce that ended the 12-day war with Israel.

Pezeshkian also expressed Iran’s desire to expand “constructive, friendly, and brotherly relations” and hoped to visit Doha soon and discuss ways to enhance bilateral ties.

The Qatari emir, for his part, strongly condemned the Iranian attack as a “blatant violation” of Qatar’s sovereignty and airspace, as well as international law and the United Nations Charter, his office, the Emiri Diwan, said in a statement.

Pezeshkian’s office said the Qatari leader stressed that his country made both public and private efforts “to keep the region away from Israel’s warmongering, including the attack on Iranian soil.”

He stressed that the US military base in Qatar was not — and will not be — used for any operations against Iran.

“We are looking at the bigger picture – deepening and expanding our relations in the future,” he said.

Israel launched airstrikes on several sites across Iran since June 13, including military and nuclear facilities, alleging that Tehran was on the verge of producing a nuclear bomb, a claim vehemently denied by Iran.

While Iran launched retaliatory missile and drone strikes, the US joined the conflict by bombing three Iranian nuclear sites on Sunday.

After 12 days of aerial combat between the two regional arch-foes, US President Donald Trump announced overnight a ceasefire between Israel and Iran to end their conflict.