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Qatar said Monday that Iran must pay the price for striking its territory, including civilian infrastructure such as Hamad International Airport, as the United States and six Arab nations issued a joint statement condemning Tehran's "indiscriminate and irresponsible" retaliatory attacks across the region.
Qatar Foreign Ministry spokesperson Majed al-Ansari told CNN that Iran's attacks targeting Qatari territory could not be tolerated and must not go unanswered.
"We reserve the right to respond to the attacks. Of course, such an attack cannot go unanswered. The price must be paid for these blatant attacks against the people of Qatar and their security," Ansari stated.
Ansari said Iran targeted not only U.S. bases but also civilian infrastructure in Qatar, including Hamad International Airport in Doha.
He emphasized that the Qatari military succeeded in intercepting most missiles and drones using air defense systems and fighter jets. Qatar's energy facilities on land and at sea were also protected, he said.
Ansari said Qatar was not in contact with Iran but stressed that the resolution of the conflict lay in dialogue.
The United States, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait and Jordan issued a joint statement condemning Iran's rocket and drone attacks against sovereign territories in the region.
The joint statement strongly condemned Iran's "indiscriminate and irresponsible attacks on sovereign territories" and stressed the importance of collective defense cooperation against the strikes.
The statement said targeting civilians and countries not involved in the conflict was dangerous and irresponsible behavior, and that air and missile defense cooperation had prevented greater loss of life and property.
"We are united in defending our citizens, our sovereignty and our territories, and we reaffirm our right to defend ourselves against these attacks. Our commitment to regional security continues," the statement said.
Iran's actions were described as "violating the sovereignty of multiple countries and threatening regional stability."
Tehran has said it is not targeting specific countries but only striking U.S. bases in the region in retaliation for the U.S. and Israeli military campaign launched against Iran on Feb. 28, while negotiations between Tehran and Washington were still underway.
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