Qatar cautioned on Tuesday that any military escalation between the United States and Iran could have devastating consequences for the region, following Washington’s threats of strikes in response to Tehran’s crackdown on protests.
“We know that any escalation … would have catastrophic results in the region and beyond, and therefore we want to avoid that as much as possible,” said Majed al-Ansari, a spokesman for Qatar’s foreign ministry, during a press briefing in Doha.
In June, Iran targeted the US Al Udeid military base in Qatar in retaliation for earlier American strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities. Qatar was able to leverage the unprecedented attack on its soil to help broker a swift truce between Washington and Tehran.
The White House reiterated on Monday that US President Donald Trump is considering air strikes on Iran to halt the crackdown on protesters. In response, Iran’s parliament speaker, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, warned that the US military and shipping assets would be considered “legitimate targets,” according to state TV.
The Norway-based NGO Iran Human Rights (IHR) has confirmed that at least 648 people, including nine minors, were killed during the protests, although estimates suggest the death toll could exceed 6,000.
Despite rising tensions, Washington has indicated that diplomatic channels remain open, with Iran reportedly taking “a far different tone” in private discussions with Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff.
“We are still at a state right now where we believe that a diplomatic resolution can come out of this,” Ansari said, adding that Qatar is engaging with regional neighbors and partners to pursue a peaceful solution.
