Qatar rejects Iran’s claim on missile strikes, says civilian areas were hit

2026-03-06 - 19:17

By Favour Ulebor, Abuja The Government of Qatar has rejected Iran’s explanation over recent missile strikes, insisting that available evidence shows the projectiles landed in civilian locations and near key facilities within its territory. Qatar’s position was conveyed during a telephone conversation between the country’s Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, and Iran’s Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi. According to a statement released by the Qatar News Agency on Friday, the Iranian foreign minister explained that the missile strikes were aimed at American interests in the region and were not intended to target Qatar. However, Al Thani rejected the explanation, saying evidence available to the Qatari government indicated that missiles landed in civilian and residential areas, including locations close to Hamad International Airport. He warned that the strikes created risks for strategic facilities and industrial sites across the country, including installations linked to Qatar’s liquefied natural gas sector, a critical component of the nation’s economy and global energy supply. The Qatari prime minister described the incident as a serious escalation, stressing that the strikes represent a violation of the country’s sovereignty and international law. He further emphasized that actions endangering civilian lives or strategic infrastructure cannot be justified under any circumstance. Despite the tensions, Al Thani reiterated Qatar’s commitment to dialogue and diplomatic efforts aimed at maintaining stability in the region, while warning that any threat to the country’s territory would be treated with utmost seriousness. Meanwhile, Iran’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Gholamreza Mahdavi Raja, had earlier defended Tehran’s actions, saying the strikes were part of Iran’s right to defend itself. Speaking at a press briefing in Abuja on Thursday, the ambassador said Iran’s operations were directed at United States military bases in the region and not at civilian populations or host countries. According to him, the actions were taken in response to what Iran described as military aggression by the United States and Israel, adding that Tehran reserves the right to protect its sovereignty and national security.