Qatar minister of state for foreign affairs has called for urgent de-escalation across the Middle East, urging Iran and the United States to return to negotiations and pursue a mediated solution to the growing conflict.
In an interview, Mohammed bin Abdulaziz al-Khulaifi said the continued exchange of attacks across the region is benefiting no one and warned that the violence is pushing the Gulf into a deeper crisis.
He said Qatar remains deeply concerned by the widening scope of the conflict, especially as attacks begin to affect civilian infrastructure and threaten regional stability.
Qatar says there is no lasting solution without talks
Al-Khulaifi said there is no realistic path to a stable and lasting outcome except through diplomacy. In his view, military escalation will only increase the risks for the region and make a peaceful resolution harder to reach.
He stressed that a return to the negotiating table remains the only credible way to reduce tensions and prevent a broader regional breakdown.
According to the minister, Qatar continues to support all efforts aimed at ending hostilities and reopening channels for dialogue between the parties involved.
Doha condemns attacks on its territory
Qatar also strongly condemned the attacks directed at its territory, describing them as unjustified and a direct violation of the country’s sovereignty.
Al-Khulaifi said Doha would continue to take every legal and necessary step to defend itself and exercise its right to self-defence in response to any aggression.
His remarks reflected growing frustration in Qatar over being drawn into a conflict that it says it has consistently tried to calm through diplomacy.
Strait of Hormuz remains a major concern
The minister also warned of the wider economic and strategic consequences of the war, especially for energy flows through the Strait of Hormuz.
He said keeping movement through the vital waterway open is critical, given the heavy disruption already affecting regional shipping and the broader energy-driven economy of the Gulf.
For Qatar, the crisis is no longer only about security. It is also about preventing serious damage to global supply chains and regional economic stability.
Mediation role weakened by continuing attacks
Al-Khulaifi noted that countries such as Qatar and Oman had previously worked to ease tensions and act as mediators between Iran and Western powers.
But he said that role becomes impossible when those same countries come under attack.
He made clear that no state can realistically continue serving as a bridge for dialogue while facing direct military threats. According to him, this is something Tehran needs to understand more clearly.
Message sent to Tehran and Washington
The minister said Qatar’s leadership had already tried to pass that message to Iran directly. He noted that Qatar’s prime minister had spoken with officials in Tehran in recent days and urged them to stop targeting neighbouring countries.
Al-Khulaifi said the core point was simple: regional countries should not be treated as Iran’s enemies.
At the same time, he said Qatar remains in contact with officials in Washington and has also encouraged the United States to stop the hostilities.
Qatar pushes for peace as conflict deepens
Doha says it will keep communication lines open with the United States and continue backing efforts that favour diplomacy over war.
Al-Khulaifi said Qatar hopes all sides can still find a path back to peace, halt military operations and return to negotiations before the situation becomes even more dangerous.
His comments underline Qatar’s effort to position itself once again as a voice for restraint, even as the region moves further into crisis.