Qatari minister says ‘regional countries are not an enemy of Iran’

Mohammed bin Abdulaziz al-Khulaifi also says Qatar and Oman cannot act as mediators while under attack.Published On 11 Mar 2026Qatar’s minister of state for foreign affairs has called for a de-escalation in hostilities across the Middle East and urged Iran and the United States to return to the negotiating table for a mediated solution.Speaking to Al Jazeera in an exclusive interview, Mohammed bin Abdulaziz al-Khulaifi said Iran’s attacks on its neighbours bring “benefit for no one”.Recommended Stories list of 4 itemslist 1 of 4Qatar warns Gulf security is tied to global stabilitylist 2 of 4Trump’s Iran war: Why Democrats say classified briefings have them worriedlist 3 of 4Indian traveller stranded in Qatar takes long road to Riyadhlist 4 of 4Iranian women’s football team arrives in Malaysia from Australiaend of listIran has responded to a nearly two-week-long bombardment campaign from the US and Israel by firing missiles and drones at its neighbours in the Gulf region and beyond, causing casualties, damaging critical infrastructure and severely disrupting the region’s energy-driven economy.Al-Khulaifi said Qatar remains “extremely worried” about the wider range of attacks, including against civilian infrastructure.“It’s unfortunate where we are standing right now,” the minister said.“We also believe that there is no pathway to a sustainable and long-lasting solution other than returning to the negotiation table,” he told Al Jazeera.Qatar condemns in the “strongest terms, the unjustified and outrageous attacks on the state of Qatar that directly impact its own sovereignty”, he said.Doha will continue to take “every possible and legal measure to defend and practise its exercise of self-defence against this aggression”, he added.Al-Khulaifi said the conflict demands a “global solution” to ensure that the Gulf’s energy supply chain keeps moving through the Strait of Hormuz, where global traffic has been severely disrupted by the conflict.