Qatar rejects Iran’s explanation over missile strikes The government of Qatar has rejected explanations from Iran regarding recent missile strikes it said affected parts of its territory. In a statement issued by the Qatar News Agency, Iranian authorities reportedly argued that the strikes were aimed at American interests and were not intended to target the State of Qatar. The position was conveyed during a phone conversation between Qatar’s Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, and Iran’s Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, amid rising regional tensions. However, Qatar insisted that the strikes hit civilian areas and key infrastructure within its territory. Al Thani stated that available evidence showed the missiles affected civilian and residential locations in Qatar, including areas near Hamad International Airport. He further noted that the attacks posed risks to critical infrastructure and industrial facilities, including installations linked to the country’s liquefied natural gas production, a sector central to Qatar’s economy and global energy supply. Describing the incident as a serious escalation, Al Thani said the strikes represented a violation of Qatar’s sovereignty and a breach of international law. He stressed that actions capable of endangering civilian populations and strategic facilities could not be justified under any circumstances. The Qatari prime minister reiterated Doha’s commitment to regional stability and diplomacy but emphasised that any threat to the country’s territorial integrity would be treated with utmost seriousness. The development highlights growing strain in relations between Tehran and several Gulf states as tensions across the Middle East continue to intensify, raising concerns about wider regional consequences if the crisis is not contained.