Qatar Expels Iranian Embassy Staff, Declares Them Persona Non Grata

Qatar has taken diplomatic action in the wake of Iranian attacks on its territory. Qatar has declared the Iranian military, security attaché, and embassy staff as persona non grata or ‘undesirable persons’. According to Al Jazeera on Thursday (19/3/2026), it was reported that Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement declaring the Iranian military and security attaché, along with their staff, as persona non grata. The ministry stated that it demands they leave Qatar within 24 hours. Qatar’s Foreign Ministry also added that the decision was taken as a result of repeated Iranian attacks. It is known that Iran launched a series of missile and drone attacks against its neighbouring countries in the Gulf region. The attacks were carried out to destroy US military assets located in Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia. The attacks are said to be Iran’s retaliation for the bombings carried out by the US along with its ally, Israel, since late February. Tehran’s attacks inevitably triggered damage and claimed lives in several of those Gulf countries.