June 24, 2025, 11:43 a.m. ET – An unexpected turn in the Israel-Iran conflict emerged as Qatar stepped up to mediate a cease-fire between the two nations while publicly maintaining its right to self-defense. This revelation follows an Iranian missile strike targeting a U.S. military base situated near Doha, Qatar.
Just before midnight on Monday, Qatari officials gathered reporters in a vibrant meeting room, where Majed al-Ansari, the foreign ministry spokesman, condemned the missile attack. He stressed Qatar's entitlement to respond to aggressions, but he also underscored the necessity for de-escalating tensions and pursuing cease-fire discussions between Iran and Israel.
In what appeared to be a calculated diplomatic maneuver, Qatar had already started engaging in behind-the-scenes negotiations with American allies of Israel and officials from Iran. Sanam Vakil, director of the Middle East and North Africa Program at Chatham House, commented on Qatar’s dual role, saying, “What happened shows Qatar can take a hit but be pragmatic.”
The situation intensified following U.S. airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities over the weekend. In retaliation, Iran launched attacks on the Al Udeid military base in Qatar, but most of the incoming missiles were successfully intercepted, as reported by Qatari officials, keeping the situation from escalating into a wider regional conflict.
Just before midnight on Monday, Qatari officials gathered reporters in a vibrant meeting room, where Majed al-Ansari, the foreign ministry spokesman, condemned the missile attack. He stressed Qatar's entitlement to respond to aggressions, but he also underscored the necessity for de-escalating tensions and pursuing cease-fire discussions between Iran and Israel.
In what appeared to be a calculated diplomatic maneuver, Qatar had already started engaging in behind-the-scenes negotiations with American allies of Israel and officials from Iran. Sanam Vakil, director of the Middle East and North Africa Program at Chatham House, commented on Qatar’s dual role, saying, “What happened shows Qatar can take a hit but be pragmatic.”
The situation intensified following U.S. airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities over the weekend. In retaliation, Iran launched attacks on the Al Udeid military base in Qatar, but most of the incoming missiles were successfully intercepted, as reported by Qatari officials, keeping the situation from escalating into a wider regional conflict.
