Doha: Speaking in an interview with Sky News, HE Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani stated that defending the country remains a firm principle and that Qatar will take all necessary measures to ensure its security and prevent further attacks.

He emphasised that Iran must halt attacks on Gulf countries and other states that are not directly involved in the conflict, calling for restraint and de-escalation across the region.

According to the Qatari Prime Minister, the attacks targeted a range of facilities including civilian infrastructure. Data shared during the interview indicated that approximately 40 per cent of the strikes were directed at energy facilities, 25 per cent targeted civilian infrastructure, and 35 per cent were aimed at military installations.

HE Sheikh Mohammed also revealed that Qatar’s international airport had been targeted multiple times, while even drinking water storage facilities were reportedly attacked. Questioning the rationale behind such actions, he asked what could be achieved by attacking infrastructure that belongs to the Qatari people.

Addressing broader geopolitical implications, he said the events had created a “huge shake-up” in the level of trust between Qatar and Iran. Nevertheless, he affirmed that dialogue with Iran would continue as part of efforts to reduce tensions.

The Prime Minister further warned that continued attacks risk drawing additional countries into the conflict, adding that such escalation could limit opportunities for external mediation as nations focus primarily on protecting their own security.

Despite the tensions, HE Sheikh Mohammed expressed hope for the prosperity and stability of the Iranian people and stressed the importance of peaceful coexistence among regional countries.

He also acknowledged the political support provided by European partners, particularly in addressing challenges related to supply chains, underscoring the need for international cooperation during periods of heightened regional instability.