Qatari Prime Minister accuses Iran of betrayal, calls for de-escalation

Qatar’s Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs HE Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani has accused Iran of a ‘dangerous miscalculation’ in attacking Gulf countries, while stressing that all sides must now move urgently towards de-escalation.

In an exclusive interview with Sky News, he said Qatar had entered ‘a very difficult period’ after coming under repeated missile and drone attacks, but praised the performance of the country’s defence and security forces.

Describing Doha’s anger over the attacks, Sheikh Mohammed said: “It’s a big sense of betrayal. Just an hour after the start of the war, Qatar and other Gulf countries have been attacked. We made clear that we weren’t going to take part in any wars against our neighbours.”

He said the strikes had come despite Qatar’s longstanding efforts to maintain constructive ties with Tehran.

“All the attacks on the Gulf countries – we never expected this from our neighbour,” he said.

“We’ve always tried to preserve a good relationship with Iran, but the justifications and pretexts they’re using are completely rejected.”

At the same time, Sheikh Mohammed underlined that the crisis could not be resolved through further military escalation.

“We continue to seek de-escalation,” he said. “They’re our neighbours – it’s our destiny.”

According to Sky News, the premier also called on the United States to help lower tensions, warning that the conflict risked pulling the wider region into war.

He said diplomacy remained the only workable way forward, adding: “The miscalculation by the Iranians to attack Gulf countries has destroyed everything,” but insisted renewed negotiations were now essential.

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