Pezeshkian to the Emir of Qatar: The People of Iran Defend their Legitimate Rights

According to Saed news, Masoud Pezeshkian spoke on Tuesday afternoon in a phone call with Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Emir of Qatar. He said this conversation was intended to express sympathy to His Highness and the dear people of Qatar. Pezeshkian stated: "I contacted you at the earliest opportunity to say that yesterday’s incident was merely a reaction to the direct and overt participation of the United States in the Zionist regime’s aggression against Iranian territory, and in no way should it be interpreted as the Islamic Republic of Iran confronting its friendly, brotherly, and neighboring country Qatar."

The President added: "The government and people of Iran are fully aware of Qatar’s friendly and brotherly intentions and positions towards us, and sincerely appreciate all the support, solidarity, and cooperation from the government and people of Qatar, especially during difficult days."

Pezeshkian emphasized: "You are aware that we were negotiating to resolve problems, but we were attacked in the middle of these negotiations. Although proposals were made to sit at the negotiating table, naturally, negotiation under the threat of military aggression is conducted to impose the aggressor’s demands, so it was not acceptable to us, and first a proper response had to be given to the aggression by the Zionist regime."

The President said: "Today, the Zionist regime and its supporters have realized that Iran is not Gaza, Lebanon, or Syria, whose situation can be disrupted and objectives fulfilled by a few attacks. The people of Iran stand firm to the end and defend their legitimate rights."

Pezeshkian reiterated: "Once again, I contacted you to sincerely thank you for all your efforts to stop the war, your support, solidarity, and companionship with your brothers in Iran, and I hope you and all the people of the friendly and brotherly country of Qatar accept that yesterday’s missile attack was merely a reaction to the US participation in the Zionist regime’s military aggression, and do not think that Iran intended to confront you."

The President stated: "The Islamic Republic of Iran seeks to expand its constructive, friendly, and brotherly relations with Qatar, and I hope to meet you in Doha at the earliest opportunity to discuss ways to enhance our bilateral relations."

Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Emir of Qatar, in this phone conversation, said: "I do not see this contact merely as a conversation with the friendly, brotherly, and neighboring President of Iran, but as a talk with a close friend with whom we have very deep and friendly relations."

He emphasized: "Qatar has made many open and secret efforts to keep the region away from the Zionist regime’s provocations, including aggression against Iranian territory, out of affection for Iranians and as a duty towards a neighboring, friendly, and brotherly country."

Sheikh Tamim added: "The US base in Qatar has not been and will not be used for actions against the Islamic Republic of Iran. Qatar will certainly prevent any action from this base against our friendly and brotherly country Iran."

The Emir of Qatar said: "I will not hide that what happened yesterday was a great shock to me and the people of Qatar, who sympathized with Iranians during the Zionist regime’s military aggression. However, I appreciate your call and expression of sympathy and emphasize that in Qatar we see a bigger picture and a broader horizon. Following the solidarity of the people of Qatar with their brothers in Iran during the Zionist regime’s military aggression, we are thinking about deepening and expanding our bilateral relations in the future."

Sheikh Tamim concluded: "I warmly welcomed your phone call and am aware of your good intentions and sincere outlook towards myself and the people of Qatar. We expect our brothers in the Islamic Republic of Iran to pursue relations with Qatar honestly and transparently. I hope we meet soon to discuss ways to expand cooperation."