On June 13, after Israel attacked Tehran, Donald Trump contacted the emir of Qatar to negotiate with Iran. Iran agreed to talk but refused negotiations during attacks. The ensuing 12-day conflict posed existential risks for Qatar, a small nation sharing a gasfield with Iran while hosting a large US military presence. Despite these tensions, Qatar worked to de-escalate the situation. After the US struck Iranian nuclear facilities on June 22, Iran targeted Qatar’s al Udeid airbase, marking the first military attack on modern Qatar. The attack was coordinated with prior warnings to the US.
Iran would be willing to talk, but would not negotiate under fire.
The risks to the region were high, but to Qatar they were existential.
If the US became involved in the war, Qatar would become a target.
On 23 June, Iran launched missiles towards Qatar, targeting al Udeid airbase.
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