Qatari Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, in a phone call with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Thursday, expressed Qatar's rejection of attacks on commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, warning of undermining trust and harming efforts to establish security and stability.

The Qatari News Agency (QNA) reported that the Qatari Prime Minister received a phone call from Araghchi, during which they reviewed the latest developments in the military escalation between the United States and Iran over the past two days.

During the call, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman expressed 'the condemnation and rejection of the State of Qatar of the attacks that targeted commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, despite the atmosphere of calm and efforts to de-escalate tensions in the region'.

He affirmed that such actions would 'undermine trust, threaten the safety of international navigation, and harm efforts to establish regional security and stability'.

He stressed the need for all parties to commit to dialogue and diplomacy, and to implement what has been agreed upon within the framework of the Memorandum of Understanding, contributing to preserving the security of the region, safeguarding the gains achieved, and enhancing regional stability.

During the call, he reiterated the State of Qatar's support for all efforts aimed at containing the escalation and reaching a comprehensive agreement that contributes to establishing security and stability and achieving sustainable peace in the region.

Iranian attack on a Qatari tanker

Doha on Tuesday condemned Iran's targeting of a Qatari gas tanker while it was transiting the Strait of Hormuz, and held Tehran 'fully responsible for this aggression and for any damages and repercussions that may result from it,' after the Revolutionary Guard targeted two commercial vessels in the strait with missiles.

The Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned Iranian Deputy Ambassador Mohsen Mohammad Ghaneei on Tuesday and handed him a protest note regarding the targeting of the Qatari tanker 'Al Rayyat'.

The protest note affirmed 'the State of Qatar's full right to take whatever it deems appropriate in accordance with international law to protect its interests and capabilities, in addition to demanding that Iran provide urgent clarifications regarding this targeting, take immediate measures to prevent its recurrence, and fully comply with the relevant rules of international law'.

Qatari Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Majed Al-Ansari said that the targeting of the Qatari tanker 'Al Rayyat' while it was transiting near the Strait of Hormuz constitutes 'an unacceptable assault on the safety and security of international navigation and the security of global energy supplies'.

The Qatari liquefied natural gas tanker was damaged while exiting the Strait of Hormuz, and Reuters quoted informed sources as saying that the tanker is at risk of explosion.

One source said the tanker 'Al Rayyat' sent distress signals requesting help after its port side was targeted, and another informed source mentioned that it is at risk of explosion due to a fire in the engine room.