Qatar calls Iranian missile and drone fire a “blatant violation,” warns it “will not go unanswered”

Qatar’s Foreign Ministry spokesman warned Tuesday that Iran’s attacks on the country “will not go unanswered, and today all options are open to Qatar.”

Majid Al-Ansari, in televised remarks, dismissed Iran’s reasoning to defend its retaliatory fire at Persian Gulf nations that Tehran deems supportive of the joint U.S.-Israeli attack, saying the Iranian missile and drone fire at its neighbor could not be justified.

Al-Ansari stressed that Qatar has consistently sought to avoid regional conflicts while facilitating dialogue between Iran and the international community. He expressed solidarity with other Gulf states and Jordan, which have all come under Iranian fire since Saturday, condemning the attacks as violations of their sovereignty.

“The attacks were targeted directly at Qatari interests and vital facilities inside the country; the targeting was not limited to military or American interests, but also struck Qatari territory,” he said, rebutting claims by Iran’s foreign minister.

Al-Ansari stressed Qatar’s right to self-defense under the United Nations charter and said the small Gulf state was focused on defending its territory.

“This represents a blatant violation of our national sovereignty, a direct threat to our security and territorial integrity, and an unacceptable escalation that threatens regional stability,” he said of Iran’s strikes. “We retain our full right to respond.”