Qatar and Oman cannot act as mediators while under attack: Al-Khulaifi

Doha, Qatar: Qatar’s Minister of State has called for de-escalation and urged Iran and the United Stated to return to negotiating table, adding that the wide range of attacks on military and civilian infrastructure was extremely worrying. 

Minister of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs H E Dr. Mohammed bin Abdulaziz bin Saleh Al-Khulaifi, in an interview with Al Jazeera, stated that Qatar and Oman cannot act as mediators while under attack. 

The Minister further added that for the country to mediate, the attacks against it and the region needs to stop first.  

Iran began a retaliatory attack on Qatar and the neighbouring countries in the region following a bombardment from the US and Israel on February 28, 2026. The nearly two-week long attack saw missiles and drones being fired at energy facilities and other vital civilian infrastructures in the region. 

Al-Khulaifi said the unjustified and outrageous attacks on Qatar directly impact its sovereignty and that it will continue to do every possible and legal measures to practice self-defense. 

He further added, "we are extremely worried about the wider range of attacks not only on the military but the civilian infrastructure." 

Al-Khulaifi expressed pride at the work done by defense and security forces that has intercepted every single missile and drone. "We are also proud of every single citizen and resident who resemble example of resistance, resilience and unity under the strong and wise leadership of State of Qatar," the Minister said. 

"We also believe that there is no pathway of a sustainable and long-lasting solution other than returning to the negotiation table,” he told Al Jazeera.

Al-Khulaifi said the conflict demands a “global solution” to ensure that the Gulf’s energy supply chain keeps moving through the Strait of Hormuz, where global traffic has been severely disrupted by the conflict.

Ensuring freedom of movement through the waterway is “very critical”, he noted.

Al-Khulaifi further pointed out, that Iran has targeted countries such as Qatar and Oman, which had previously served as regional mediators and tried to “build bridges between Iran and the West”.

Neither country can play that role if the attacks continue, he said.

“We will not be able to fulfil that role under attack, and that’s something the Iranians need to understand.”

Prime Minister HE Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani tried to convey those points during a phone call with Tehran several days ago, Al-Khulaifi said, when he urged Iran to cease attacks on its neighbours.

“The regional countries are not an enemy of Iran, and the Iranians are not understanding that idea,” Al-Khulaifi said.

Doha also remains in contact with officials in the US and has encouraged President Donald Trump to cease hostilities, he said.

“Our line of communication is always open with our colleagues in the United States, and we keep encouraging and supporting the pathway of peace and resolving conflicts through peaceful means.

“We really hope that the parties can find that pathway, end military operations, and return to the negotiation table,” Al-Khulaifi said.