Qatar will not be dragged into any conflict with Iran

Qatar will not be dragged into any conflict with Iran, a senior Qatari official stated on Sunday

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense Khalid Al Attiyah told an international security conference in Singapore that Qatar has “a lot of differences” with Iran but it does not mean “we go and fuel a war” in the region.

“Is it wise to call the United States and to call Israel to go and fight Iran? … Whether any third party is trying to push the region or some country in the region to start a war in Iran, this will be very dangerous,” he said.

“Iran is next door. We should call Iran, put all the files on the table and start to discuss to bring peace rather than war,” he said in a speech.

As an answer for the question that, Qatar’s air bases could be used to launch airstrikes on Iran, Mr. al-Attiyah said that his country was not a “fan of war” and supported engagement and dialogue.

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As part of its campaign against the Islamic State group and the war in Afghanistan, Qatar hosts 10,000 U.S. troops deployed at sprawling al-Udeid Air Base.

Mr. Al Attiyah called for salvaging a 2015 nuclear accord between world powers and Iran that offered Tehran sanctions relief for controls on its nuclear program. The U.S. withdrew from the deal last month.

“Everyone should keep holding on to this and advance with this. In my own judgement, I think the United States is wiser than to enter in a war with Iran,” and, also said Qatar is “firmly aligned” against terrorism and has implemented U.N. resolutions and penalties targeting militants.