Qatar to Iran: Regional States are not Enemies, It's Time to Return to Negotiations

ILLUSTRATION/PHOTO Medhi Marizad (FARS) via Wikimedia Commons

JAKARTA - Qatar has asked Iran and the United States to immediately return to the negotiating table amid the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. Doha insists that countries in the region are not Iran's enemies and attacks on their own neighbors do not benefit anyone.

In an interview with Al Jazeera quoted Wednesday, March 11, Qatar's Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Mohammed bin Abdulaziz al-Khulaifi said his country was very concerned about the widespread attacks, including those targeting civilian infrastructure. According to him, there is no way to a sustainable solution other than stopping military operations and returning to negotiations.

Iran has previously responded to the 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. The attacks have caused casualties, damaged critical infrastructure, and disrupted the region's economy, which is supported by the energy sector.

Qatar, said Al-Khulaifi, strongly condemned the attack, which was considered to have directly touched on the sovereignty of his country. Doha also stressed that it would take all legally legitimate steps to defend itself from the aggression.

Al-Khulaifi added that this conflict requires a broader solution so that the energy supply chain in the Gulf region continues to move through the Strait of Hormuz. According to him, freedom of navigation in the route is very important.

He also alluded to Iran, which attacked Qatar and Oman, even though the two countries have always served as mediators and tried to bridge Iran with the West. As long as the attacks are ongoing, said Al-Khulaifi, Qatar and Oman are unlikely to play that role.

According to Al-Khulaifi, the Prime Minister of Qatar Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani had conveyed this to Tehran in a telephone conversation a few days ago. Doha also remains in contact with US officials and encourages President Donald Trump to stop hostilities and pave the way back to the negotiating table.