Dr. Mirdef Alqashouti د. مردف القاشوطي

If the Iranian side wishes to reference official documentation, we invite it to refer to the record formally submitted by the State of Qatar to the United Nations, rather than selectively quoting a security risk assessment prepared for operational purposes. Qatar’s identical letters dated 1 March 2026 (S/2026/110) documented the launch of Iranian missiles over civilian, commercial and residential areas, resulting in damage and injuries to 16 people. Qatar’s letter dated 20 July also documented further attacks that injured three people, including a child. The document now being cited by the Iranian side is a safety and security risk assessment prepared for the ITU Plenipotentiary Conference. It is neither a comprehensive factual record nor a legal assessment of the events. In fact, it expressly acknowledges direct attacks inside the State of Qatar, including the 18 March attack on gas facilities in Ras Laffan, and refers to the temporary closure of Qatari airspace and the impact on civilian life. Selectively extracting a sentence from that document while disregarding its broader context is therefore misleading. The success of the Qatar Armed Forces in intercepting Iranian missiles and drones does not diminish the gravity of these attacks, nor does it absolve those responsible of accountability. It is regrettable that the attack on Ras Laffan has been described as “alleged,” despite having been formally documented in Qatar’s letter S/2026/207, particularly given that these facilities are national assets belonging to the Qatari people and form an integral part of the global energy security architecture. The State of Qatar is not a party to this conflict. Attacks on its territory and civilian infrastructure, the endangerment of its population, and destabilizing actions in the Strait of Hormuz cannot be justified as “legitimate responses.” Such acts constitute clear violations of international law, and no selective quotation or interpretation can alter that fact. Guided by its longstanding position that dialogue and peaceful means remain the best path to resolving differences, Qatar will continue its diplomatic efforts and sustained endeavors to de-escalate tensions and promote security and stability in the region.