Calling the presidents of Iran and the US, the Qatari emir denounces the attack on Al-Udeid

LONDON: Following the missile attack on Al-Udeid Air Base by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps on Tuesday, US President Donald Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian made separate phone calls to Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, the emir of Qatar.

Sheikh Tamim began his chat with Pezeshkian by denouncing the Iranian attack. In addition to being a violation of international law and the United Nations Charter, he described the act as “a blatant violation of Qatar’s sovereignty and airspace.”

On Monday night, missile fire from the IRGC targeted Al-Udeid Air Base, the largest US military installation in the Middle East, which houses over 10,000 service members and is situated 30 kilometers southwest of Doha. Following US strikes on three of Iran’s nuclear sites over the weekend, the attack was a retaliation move.

Sheikh Tamim emphasized Doha’s continued commitment to talks with Iran and said that Iran’s move went against the ideals of good neighborliness.

According to the Qatar News Agency, he called for an immediate end to military operations and a restart of talks to end the conflict and guarantee regional stability and safety.

Pezeshkian apologized to Sheikh Tamim for the harm the attack on Monday had caused. He said that “the attack does not constitute a threat” to Qatar and that neither the country nor its citizens were the intended targets of the military operation.

Sheikh Tamim also had a conversation with Trump, who criticized “any aggression that threatens the security and safety of the State of Qatar and undermines the security and stability of the region” and reiterated Washington’s support for Doha following the Iranian strike.

Trump advocated moderation and the pursuit of diplomatic solutions during the conversation with Sheikh Tamim.

Sheikh Tamim expressed gratitude to Trump for the United States’ backing. He added that the preparedness of the Qatari military and the safety precautions taken prevented any fatalities or injuries.