Qatar calls on Iran to stop Gulf attacks, urges diplomatic solution

Qatari foreign ministry spokesman Majed al-Ansari accuses Iran of targeting civilian areas as he calls for de-escalation.Published On 16 Mar 2026Qatar has called on Iran to immediately stop attacks on Gulf countries so a diplomatic solution could be sought to end the war with the United States and Israel, which has triggered a global energy crisis.“Iran must stop the attacks immediately so that a diplomatic solution to the crisis can be found,” Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman Majed al-Ansari said on Monday, adding that Tehran has targeted residential areas, energy sites and Hamad International Airport.Recommended Stories list of 3 itemslist 1 of 3Large protest held in London against US-Israeli war on Iranlist 2 of 3The Iran war picture blackoutlist 3 of 3History Illustrated: How Israel, the US and Iran deploy covert opsend of list“Iran is attacking Gulf countries without any reason and must stop its attacks because we are outside the conflict,” the spokesman said during a news conference in the Qatari capital Doha.Iran has been targeting US assets and civilian sites in Gulf countries since the US and Israel began bombing Iran on February 28.The attacks have killed more than 1,400 people in Iran and damaged military as well as civilian infrastructure, including hospitals, schools, airports and sea ports.Tehran also has fired barrages of drones and missiles at Israel, killing at least 15 people.Qatar and other Gulf states have been urging Iran to halt its attacks, with the Qatari envoy to the United Nations last week describing the assault as a violation of international law and the UN Charter.During Monday’s news conference, al-Ansari noted that an Iranian media outlet said economic and civilian sites would be targeted – statements that the spokesman said Qatar takes seriously.“Stopping the attacks requires a decision from Iran’s foreign minister, and Qatar will defend itself,” he said. “Contacts are still ongoing with Gulf countries to ensure de-escalation and confront Iran’s attacks.”