Qatar’s air defence system intercepted a missile fired at the country today, the defence ministry announced, amid an escalating wave of Iranian attacks against several Gulf states.
In a statement published on social media, the Qatari government confirmed the missile was targeting its territory and had been successfully intercepted. The attacks come in the context of Iran’s retaliation following the joint US-Israeli military offensive against Iranian territory launched on February 28.
Qatar’s foreign ministry spokesman Majed al-Ansari said dialogue with Tehran remains possible and indicated that Iran had ceased its attacks. “Negotiations are possible and a solution can be found through diplomacy,” al-Ansari said at a press conference cited by Al Jazeera. He added that despite the military escalation, countries in the region are strengthening security cooperation. “While our countries are under attack, it is time to take decisive measures to protect them,” he said, noting that contacts between Gulf countries are under way to establish a unified regional security system, with permanent communications ongoing to reduce violence.
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The joint US-Israeli offensive against Iran has killed more than 1,200 people in the country according to Iranian authorities, including supreme leader ayatollah Ali Khamenei, several ministers and senior military officials. In response, Tehran has fired multiple missiles and drones at Israel and at US military bases in Middle Eastern countries.
