Doha, Qatar: The Shura Council, during its regular weekly session, held at its headquarters in the Tamim Bin Hamad Hall today, under the chairmanship of HE Speaker of the Council Hassan bin Abdullah Al Ghanim, commended the steadfastness and cohesion of Qatari society in facing the "blatant Iranian aggression" to which the State of Qatar has been subjected since February 28.
The Council praised the role of the Qatari Armed Forces and all security agencies for demonstrating full readiness and a high degree of professionalism in safeguarding the nation, protecting its territorial integrity, and maintaining the security and stability of society.
The Council affirmed that national unity and social cohesion constitute the first line of defense in the face of challenges, stressing that "our true strength lies in solidarity, collective resolve, and confronting adversity with a spirit of national responsibility."
It noted that the people of Qatar, throughout the country's history -both past and present- have consistently stood united behind their leadership. The Council emphasized that this national unity remains the fundamental pillar upon which the country relies to overcome crises and challenges, achieve comprehensive development across all sectors, and safeguard its achievements and gains.
The Council further affirmed that, despite the difficult circumstances and challenges, conditions in the country remain stable, thanks to the grace of Almighty God and the efforts of the esteemed government under the directives of HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani. These directives, the Council noted, have resulted in the implementation of a carefully designed and well-coordinated action plan, alongside prudent measures that have ensured the uninterrupted delivery of services across all sectors around the clock, while continuously monitoring developments and responding to them promptly.
The Council highlighted that popular solidarity, national awareness, support for state institutions, and the prioritization of national interests during this period collectively represent essential factors in strengthening the country's ability to confront the aggression and safeguard its national interests.
The Shura Council reiterated its strongest condemnation and denunciation of the Iranian aggression against the State of Qatar, describing it as a flagrant violation of Qatar's sovereignty, a direct assault on its security, territorial integrity, and national interests, and a blatant breach of international law, the Charter of the United Nations, and established moral norms.
The Council stressed that the repeated Iranian attacks involving ballistic missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles endanger civilian populations and target vital state infrastructure, including facilities linked to water and food security. It noted that 65 percent of these attacks have targeted civilian facilities and energy installations in Qatar.
The Council categorically rejected any justification for the Iranian attacks against the State of Qatar, affirming that such actions cannot be accepted under any pretext. It underscored that Qatar has been among the first countries to advocate dialogue with Iran and has exerted considerable efforts to facilitate such dialogue between Iran and the international community. This reflects Qatar's longstanding policy that disputes and conflicts should be resolved through peaceful means, mediation, and negotiations.
The Council expressed strong dismay at Iran's continued targeting of Qatari territory, stating that such actions reflect ill intent and treachery, contradict the principles of good neighborliness, and undermine the foundations of understanding upon which bilateral relations between the two countries have been built over past decades. It called on Iran to cease its aggression against Qatar, adopt the language of wisdom and reason, preserve regional security, and spare the peoples of the region from further risks.
In this regard, the Shura Council welcomed the United Nations resolution issued last Wednesday condemning Iranian attacks on several countries in the region, including the State of Qatar, and calling for the immediate cessation of all such attacks, as well as an end to provocations or threats against neighboring states, including through the use of proxies. The Council affirmed that the resolution reflects broad international consensus rejecting what it described as Iran's reprehensible, unlawful, and entirely unjustified aggression.
The Council stressed the necessity for the international community, as well as regional and international parliamentary unions and organizations, to assume their legal and moral responsibilities in halting what it described as the grave and ongoing violations of the sovereignty of Qatar and other countries in the region, and to work toward containing the crisis in a manner that preserves regional and global security.
Within this context, the Council warned of the serious repercussions of Iranian attacks on regional and international security and stability. It noted, for example, that Iranian threats to maritime security and the movement of vessels through the Strait of Hormuz have had far-reaching consequences for global energy security, the stability of the international economy, and the sustainability of global supply chains, leading to what it described as the largest supply disruption in the history of the global oil market.
The Council also referred to a recent announcement by the World Food Programme warning that disruptions to supply chains as a result of escalating military developments threaten the food security of millions of people in the Middle East.
During the session, HE the Speaker of the Shura Council, on his own behalf and on behalf of the Council's members, extended his highest congratulations and sincere best wishes to HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, on the approaching occasion of Eid Al-Fitr. He prayed to Almighty God to grant His Highness continued health and well-being, and to return this blessed occasion to the Qatari people and all residents of Qatar with goodness, prosperity, and blessings, while preserving Qatar's security and stability.
Following this, HE Secretary-General of the Shura Council, Nayef bin Mohammed Al Mahmoud read the session's agenda. The Council then discussed the listed items and took the appropriate decisions regarding them.
