Doha, March 19 (QNA) - HE Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani affirmed that the Iranian attacks on the State of Qatar, including the targeting of the Ras Laffan energy complex on Wednesday, represent a dangerous escalation and an unacceptable violation, amid the war between Iran and Israel and the United States of America, and ongoing Iranian attempts to drag the region into this conflict.

His Excellency said, during a press conference held Thursday with HE Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Turkiye Hakan Fidan, that the State of Qatar condemned from the very first hour the attack on Iranian energy facilities and infrastructure by Israel; however, the Iranian response unfortunately came through directly attacking the State of Qatar, as part of an extended series of strikes that have targeted military and civilian objectives over the past two weeks, the latest of which was at the Ras Laffan energy complex.

He explained that this act of sabotage reflects an aggressive and irresponsible policy and a dangerous escalation on the part of Iran, noting that Wednesday's attack targeted a natural gas facility in the State of Qatar, which is a source of livelihood for the Qatari people, and also affected millions of vulnerable people whom Qatar supports across various parts of the world.

HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs added that a large portion of the attack was intercepted, but it succeeded in hitting some facilities, the damages of which are currently being assessed.

He continued that there were no human casualties as a result of the precautionary measures taken since the first attack at the beginning of this war, stressing that material losses can be compensated, but human life cannot. He affirmed that this attack has significant repercussions on global energy supplies, noting that such attacks bring no direct benefit to any country, but rather cause harm to peoples directly.

HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs also renewed the State of Qatar's rejection of ongoing Iranian claims that these attacks target American interests or US bases in Qatar or in the region, stating that this claim is rejected and cannot be accepted under any justification.

He added that such hostile acts, their continuation, and the expansion of war will only lead to a greater escalation in the region, at a time when recent days have witnessed disruption to navigation and freedom of passage, and threats to ships and tankers in a vital corridor such as the Strait of Hormuz.

He stressed that the security of the region is a collective responsibility, and that all countries must adhere to this responsibility and be worthy of it, emphasizing the importance of an immediate halt to Iranian attacks on countries in the region and a general de-escalation. 

On the other hand, HE Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani noted that during his meeting with HE the Turkish Foreign Minister, emphasis was placed on the importance of joint action among countries in the region to condemn this aggression and demand its immediate cessation, as well as calling on Iran to implement relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions that require it to halt these attacks and this approach of expanding the conflict.

His Excellency strongly condemned the attacks carried out against the Republic of Turkiye, stating that these continued targetings and the expansion of the conflict will not serve the objectives of security and stability in the region.

He also expressed his appreciation for the visit of HE the Turkish Foreign Minister to Doha, noting that this visit reflects the depth of relations between the two countries and the strategic partnership built over decades, and praising the supportive positions of the Republic of Turkiye toward the State of Qatar and toward security and stability in the region and the world.

His Excellency affirmed the importance of continuous consultation between the State of Qatar and the Republic of Turkiye, expressing Qatar's gratitude, both government and people, for these positions, and noting that Turkiye has well-known supportive stances with the State of Qatar.

HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs stressed that this ongoing war must be stopped immediately, as well as the immediate cessation of attacks, stating that everyone knows who the greatest beneficiary of this war is, and who is dragging the region into this conflict, and that what is happening now serves these agendas.

He also reiterated that diplomatic efforts remain available, and that the State of Qatar believes in them as the first and final solution to any conflict or dispute, noting that Qatar had sincerely worked with a group of countries in the region, including the Republic of Turkiye, to prevent the war launched on Iran at the outset, but these efforts were met with repeated and brutal attacks on the State of Qatar from the very first hour.

His Excellency explained that the scale of the shock lay in the fact that the targeting was directed at countries in the region from the beginning of the war and from its earliest hours, raising major questions for neighboring countries, especially as the State of Qatar has always based its relations on good neighborliness and working with its surroundings to establish security and stability.

He affirmed that the actions carried out by the Islamic Republic of Iran only lead to destabilizing security and stability for all countries in the region, noting that regional countries met on Wednesday, in Riyadh and expressed in one voice their rejection of these attacks and their demand for their cessation.

He pointed out that the space for dialogue and diplomacy will remain open, but it must be based on respect, respect for sovereignty, non-aggression among states, and efforts to rebuild trust that has been damaged as a result of these hostile acts.

His Excellency affirmed that the State of Qatar recognizes that it shares geography, neighborhood, and history with the Iranian people, and does not wish for there to be resentment between the Iranian people and the Qatari people or between the Iranian people and the peoples of the region, expressing his hope that the peoples of the region will live in peace and that the consequences of these irresponsible decisions, which may drag the region into a spiral that is difficult to escape, will be avoided. 

Regarding the attack on the gas complex, HE Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani explained that a large part of the attack was intercepted; however, it succeeded in hitting some facilities, the damage to which is currently being assessed, reiterating that there were no human casualties.

He stressed that targeting this facility, which is one of the sources of livelihood for the Qatari people and one of the main sources that fund Qatar's humanitarian efforts across the world, has a direct impact, expressing his hope that the Islamic Republic of Iran realizes that through these actions it has deprived vulnerable people of this support.

His Excellency affirmed, at the conclusion of his remarks during the press conference, that the State of Qatar reserves its full rights to respond to this attack through legal means, and that all these actions will carry consequences under international law.

For his part, HE Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Turkiye Hakan Fidan said the State of Qatar, while seeking to mediate to resolve the crisis, has been subjected to an unexpected attack, which is still ongoing.

He added that attacks that disregard civilian life and target infrastructure are completely unacceptable and cannot be justified at any time or under any pretext, affirming that his country always stands by Qatar and will continue to support it.

He explained that this ongoing war directly threatens the security of all countries in the region and undermines its stability at its core, noting that the meeting of regional countries in Riyadh on Wednesday, at the invitation of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, was an urgent necessity since the beginning of the war, as participants affirmed their support for the countries that have been attacked and the importance of halting attacks and finding diplomatic solutions to prevent the spread of clashes.

He added that the primary cause of this war that is dragging the region into an unprecedented crisis is Israel, noting that the attacks came at a time when diplomatic talks were ongoing. 

He added that Israel incited escalation to expand its objectives and did not suffice with turning the region into a battlefield, but also threatened global stability.

HE the Turkish Foreign Minister pointed out that Iran must remember its historical responsibility, saying that whatever the justifications, Iran's attacks on countries in the region deliberately target and undermine regional stability and cannot be accepted.

He noted that Iran is wrong, just as the attacks launched against it were also wrong, stressing the need to avoid actions that hinder freedom of navigation and movement at sea, and not to allow Israel to benefit from instability to cover up its occupation and expansionist policies.

He affirmed that his country's position is fully aligned with that of Qatar in keeping communication channels open to establish peace and address all concerns, warning that the current war may distract the world from the suffering of the Palestinian people in Gaza, the West Bank, and East Jerusalem, amid Israel's continued violations, as well as its ongoing occupation and destruction policies in Lebanon, calling on the international community to clearly assume its responsibilities.

HE Hakan Fidan also stressed that a just and lasting peace with the Palestinian people is the key to stability. 

He noted that Turkish-Qatari relations have reached the level of a joint strategic partnership, and that Turkiye will continue its full solidarity with Qatar under all difficult circumstances, including cooperation in defense industries and their development through tangible steps.

HE the Turkish Foreign Minister highlighted that Turkiye and Qatar face challenges together, and that support and solidarity between the two countries are firm and ongoing, with a clear will to enhance cooperation and confront any threats facing the region. (QNA)