SAEDNEWS: Iran has denied that its missile strike on the U.S. military base at Al-Udeid in Qatar was directed against its Gulf neighbor, insisting the attack was a legal act of self-defense and not a hostile move toward the Qatari state.
According to Saed News, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei stated on Wednesday that Iran’s strike on the American-operated Al-Udeid Air Base should “under no circumstances” be interpreted as an attack against the State of Qatar. The remarks came in response to a statement issued by Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) foreign ministers following an emergency meeting about the Iranian operation.
Baghaei emphasized that the missile strike, launched in response to a U.S. air assault on Iranian territory on June 21, was carried out under Article 51 of the United Nations Charter, which allows for the right to self-defense. He reiterated Tehran’s commitment to Qatar as a “friendly and brotherly” nation and urged regional actors to view the action within its proper legal and strategic context.
The spokesperson further expressed gratitude to Arab and Islamic nations that have condemned recent Israeli and American actions against Iran’s territorial sovereignty. He stressed that Iran remains fully committed to fostering regional cooperation and homegrown security frameworks.
Baghaei also reaffirmed Iran’s intention to strengthen ties with all southern Gulf states, including Qatar, and thanked the GCC for opposing Israeli aggression in Gaza and the West Bank. Amid heightened tensions, Tehran appears eager to prevent a wider diplomatic fallout with its Gulf neighbors, even as it confronts increasing pressure from U.S. and Israeli forces in the region.
