Qatar condemns targeting of its territory, asserts right to respond

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Qatar has strongly condemned the targeting of its territory by Iranian ballistic missiles, characterising it as a blatant violation of its sovereignty, security and territorial integrity.

The attack is also regarded as an unacceptable escalation that could threaten regional security and stability, according to a statement from the Qatari Foreign Ministry issued on Saturday (28 February).

“The Foreign Ministry affirms that the State of Qatar has the full right to respond to this attack in accordance with international law and in a manner proportional to the nature of the aggression,” the statement said.

Qatar also asserts its right to respond to the attack in order to defend its sovereignty and protect its national security and interests.

The Qatari Foreign Ministry emphasised that the country has been and continues to be one of the principal supporters of dialogue with the Islamic Republic of Iran, and has consistently advocated for this approach as the optimal foundation for addressing differences and resolving disputes through peaceful means, in order to protect the region from the risk of escalation.

The ministry also affirmed that the targeting of Qatari territory does not accord with the principles of good neighbourliness and is unacceptable under any pretext or justification.

However, the repeated targeting of its territory does not reflect good faith and threatens the foundation of understanding that underpins the bilateral relationship between the two nations.

On Saturday morning (28 February), the Israeli Ministry of Defence stated that it had launched attacks against Iran and declared a state of emergency across its territory.

Shortly thereafter, the United States also launched strikes against several Iranian targets from the air and sea, according to Reuters reporting on Saturday (28 February), citing a US official.

In retaliation, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) confirmed the launch of the first wave of rocket attacks against Israel. Tehran launched missiles and drones towards Israel in response to aggression by the Zionist regime against Iran.

Iran’s retaliatory attacks also targeted several US military bases in the Middle East region, including in Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia.