Qatar has strongly condemned a missile attack by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) on the US-run Al-Udeid air base on Monday, delivering a letter to the UN Secretary-General to express its outrage. The Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs described the attack as an “extremely dangerous escalation that represents a flagrant violation” of Qatar’s “sovereignty and territorial integrity.”
The letter, sent by Qatar’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, HE Sheikha Alya Ahmed bin Saif Al Thani, to both UN Secretary-General António Guterres and the President of the Security Council for June, Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett, emphasized that the Iranian missile strike posed “a direct threat to regional peace and security.”
In a statement, Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs underscored its right to respond directly “in a manner equivalent with the nature and scale of this blatant aggression and in accordance with the Charter and international law.” The ministry also confirmed that the Iranian ambassador to Qatar has been summoned following the incident.
According to Qatari officials, the missile attack on Al-Udeid air base, the largest US military base in the Middle East, was successfully intercepted by Qatari air defenses. While Iran’s state media had earlier denied firing missiles towards Israel after a ceasefire announcement, the IRGC has claimed responsibility for the Al-Udeid attack, stating it was in retaliation for US strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities.
Reports indicate that Qatar’s air defenses successfully intercepted 18 of the 19 missiles fired, with one missile reportedly hitting the base but causing no casualties. US officials have also confirmed the interception of missiles targeting Al-Udeid and reported no US casualties. It has also emerged that both the US and Qatar had some advance warning of the attack, allowing for precautionary measures, including the evacuation of personnel and the temporary closure of Qatari airspace.
The incident further fuels the already heightened tensions in the region, coming amidst conflicting claims of a ceasefire between Israel and Iran and threats of forceful retaliation from Israel’s military. Qatar has consistently called for diplomatic solutions and de-escalation in the face of the ongoing regional crisis.
Source: http://thepressradio.com
