Iraq expresses ‘solidarity’ with Qatar after Iranian strike on US base

BAGHDAD — Iraq’s Foreign Ministry on Monday called for restraint and renewed diplomatic efforts following an Iranian missile strike on the U.S.-operated Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, warning that the escalation threatens regional stability.

In a statement, the ministry expressed “deep concern” over what it described as a serious and rapid deterioration in regional security. The strike on Qatari territory, it said, marked a development Iraq had previously warned against due to its “grave risks to the security and stability of the entire region.”

“This escalation signals increased tension and constitutes an unprecedented turning point in the pace of the conflict,” the statement said, citing Iraq’s repeated warnings about the involvement of additional parties.

The ministry reaffirmed Iraq’s position that regional crises should be resolved through dialogue, rejecting military options as a means to avoid further escalation and suffering.

Separately, Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani said in a post on X that he had spoken with Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and United Arab Emirates President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

“During these discussions, Iraq reaffirmed its solidarity with the State of Qatar, expressed its steadfast support for Qatari sovereignty and security, and underscored the imperative of avoiding any actions that could heighten tensions or endanger regional stability and global peace,” Al-Sudani said.

The missile attack came Monday evening in what Iranian officials said was retaliation for U.S. airstrikes two days earlier on Iran’s nuclear facilities at Fordow, Natanz and Isfahan. Qatar’s Defense Ministry said the majority of the missiles were intercepted by air defense systems. The U.S. Department of Defense confirmed that 13 out of 14 missiles were downed, and the remaining missile did not cause significant damage.

Following the strike, U.S. President Donald Trump announced that Iran and Israel had agreed to a cease-fire, which took effect at 7 a.m. Tuesday local time.