The president held a phone call with Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani on Tuesday in a gesture of goodwill, after Iran launched missile strikes at the Al Udeid Airbase in neighboring Qatar on Monday night in response to the U.S. bombing of three Iranian nuclear sites a day earlier.
The United States bombed Fordow, Isfahan, and Natanz sites on the eleventh day of Israel’s aggression against Iran, making Washington a direct party to the conflict.
“I reached out to you at the earliest opportunity to say that yesterday’s incident was just a response to the direct and open involvement of the United States in the Zionist regime’s aggression against Iranian land, and it must not be interpreted at all as a confrontation between the Islamic Republic of Iran and its friendly, brotherly, and neighboring country, Qatar,” President Pezeshkian said.
He also said that the Iranian government and people are fully aware of Qatar’s “friendly and brotherly intentions and stances” toward their country and appreciate the support and solidarity extended by the Qatari people and government, especially in tough times.
“The Islamic Republic of Iran seeks to expand its constructive, friendly, and brotherly ties with Qatar,” said Pezeshkian, expressing hope for talks with Qatar’s emir in Doha in the near future to promote bilateral cooperation.
Sheikh Tamim described the Tuesday phone call as a conversation with “a close friend,” not just with the president of the friendly and neighboring country of Iran.
He said although the Iranian missile attack was a big shock to Qatar, he appreciated President Pezeshkian’s phone call and good gesture, emphasizing that his country has a broad vision regarding ties with Iran and seeks to further expand bilateral relations.
He also said that Qatar is aware of Iran’s sincere and good intentions toward the Qatari government and people, adding that the Al Udeid Airbase has not been and will not be used for any action against the Islamic Republic.
