Minister of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs H E Dr. Mohammed bin Abdulaziz bin Saleh Al Khulaifi
Doha, Qatar: Minister of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs H E Dr. Mohammed bin Abdulaziz bin Saleh Al Khulaifi has affirmed that Qatar has been actively engaging with its international and regional partners in recent days as part of efforts to address escalating tensions and support calls for de-escalation.
In an interview with the Al Jazeera channel, Al Khulaifi said Qatar’s outreach has been extensive, reflecting the country’s commitment to coordinating closely with allies worldwide and within the Gulf region. He noted that Qatar’s position aligns closely with that of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries in prioritizing the protection of their territories and populations while simultaneously advocating for de-escalation and a lasting resolution to the conflict.
Al Khulaifi also stressed that Qatar never launched an attack and will not launch an attack on a neighbouring country.
In an interview, Minister of State at Ministry of Foreign Affairs HE Dr. Mohammed bin Abdulaziz bin Saleh Al-Khulaifi, said: "Qatar has a very personal position when it comes to this issue. Qatar did not launch an attack and will not launch an attack on a neighbouring country." pic.twitter.com/s8wuRBQODg
— The Peninsula Qatar (@PeninsulaQatar) March 11, 2026
“Qatar has been extremely active in the last few days in terms of our reach out to our strategic partners globally but also from a regional perspective,” he said, noting that collective engagement is vital to restoring stability.
He added that the GCC states share a common approach that emphasizes both protecting their people and territories and working toward a permanent solution to the conflict. According to the minister, once the current conflict subsides, additional measures will be needed to guarantee that similar tensions are not repeated in the future.
The minister explained that Qatar’s actions in the current circumstances have been limited to exercising its legitimate right of self-defence. “What Qatar has done is simply exercise our right of self-defence,” he said, adding that the country will continue to use all legitimate means necessary to protect its territory and ensure the safety of its people.
When asked about the possibility of a broader regional war involving multiple countries, Al Khulaifi said he does not view the situation as a regional conflict, though he acknowledged that it carries significant global implications.
“As I mentioned to you, I don’t think this is a regional war. This is a war that has its own impact on the global market,” he said.
He pointed out that the developments have already drawn international attention, with Qatar’s leadership receiving numerous messages and calls from global leaders expressing solidarity and concern about the wider consequences of the conflict.
According to the minister, these exchanges highlight the widespread concern among countries about the potential implications of the conflict, not only for regional stability but also for the global economy.
In an interview with Al Jazeera, Minister of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs H E Dr. Mohammed bin Abdulaziz bin Saleh Al-Khulaifi, stated that Qatar and Oman cannot act as mediators while under attack.
— The Peninsula Qatar (@PeninsulaQatar) March 11, 2026
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In this context, he emphasized that meaningful progress toward de-escalation will require a coordinated international effort. “The major step is a global engagement by all countries around the globe to play an important role in de-escalating and finding a permanent end for that conflict,” he said. Commenting on the role of the United States in managing the crisis, Al Khulaifi said Qatar maintains open lines of communication with its American counterparts and continues to encourage efforts aimed at resolving disputes through dialogue and peaceful means. “We keep our line of communication as always open with our colleagues in the United States and we keep encouraging them and supporting the pathway of peace and resolving conflicts through peaceful means,” he said.
He expressed hope that the parties involved would eventually return to negotiations. “We really hope that the parties can find that pathway and really end the military operation and return back again to the negotiation table to meet the concerns of the parties,” he added.
The minister also highlighted the concerns of regional countries, particularly regarding aggression against Qatar and other GCC states. He said these concerns are legitimate and have been discussed within the framework of the GCC, while also being communicated to international partners.
Looking ahead, Al Khulaifi warned that the continuation of the conflict could pose significant risks to the global economy, including disruptions to energy markets.
“If there is a message that I can mention today, that the GCC security is not only a regional security, it’s a global security,” he said.
He noted that GCC countries have long contributed to global economic stability through their energy infrastructure, international trade networks, and diplomatic engagement, underscoring the broader global importance of maintaining security and stability in the Gulf region.
