The State of Qatar strongly condemned Israel’s military strike on targets inside Iran in the early hours of Friday, June 13. Qatar stated that the military escalation in the region “does not serve regional security and stability” and called on all parties to exercise restraint and adhere to international law.
In an official statement, Qatar’s Foreign Ministry said: “The State of Qatar condemns in the strongest terms the attack on sites within the Islamic Republic of Iran,” emphasizing that “resorting to violence outside the framework of international legitimacy exacerbates tensions and endangers peace and security in the region and the world.”
The statement underscored the need to “resolve regional conflicts through dialogue and peaceful means” and urged the international community to “act urgently to prevent a slide into a broader conflict that could extend beyond the geographical boundaries of the current confrontation.”
In contrast, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia expressed its “deep concern over the escalation of the situation” and called for “restraint and avoidance of any escalation that could threaten regional stability.” The United Arab Emirates also voiced concern over the military escalation, stressing the importance of “upholding international law and safeguarding regional security,” while Oman and Kuwait called for de-escalation and dialogue without directly assigning blame.
Meanwhile, Iraq, Syria, and Lebanon explicitly condemned the attack, describing it as “an act of aggression against Iran’s sovereignty.” Egypt and Jordan expressed concern and urged efforts to avoid further tensions.
Simultaneously, diplomatic efforts intensified across the Arab world to mitigate the repercussions of the Israeli attack. These regional and international initiatives aim to prevent the region from descending into an open conflict. At the forefront of these efforts were the active diplomatic moves by Qatar and Saudi Arabia, which strengthened their regional and international contacts to ease tensions and call for de-escalation.
According to a statement from Qatar’s Emiri Diwan, the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, received a phone call from U.S. President Donald Trump, during which they discussed the latest developments in the region, particularly following the Israeli attack on Iranian territory. The Emir stressed during the call “the need to reduce escalation and seek diplomatic solutions to preserve regional stability.”
Qatar’s Foreign Ministry also announced that Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani held a series of phone calls with his counterparts in Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan, Oman, and Iran. All discussions focused on the dangerous developments following the attack. The Qatari Foreign Minister reiterated “Qatar’s strong condemnation of the attack and its clear classification as a blatant violation of Iranian sovereignty and a clear breach of international law.”
At the same time, Saudi Arabia ramped up its diplomatic engagements in coordination with regional and international partners. Diplomatic sources in Riyadh reported that Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan held consultations with several Gulf and Arab capitals as part of Saudi efforts to “calm the situation and prevent an escalation that could lead to widespread security destabilization in the region.”
Qatar Launches a New Phase of Support for Innovation and Scientific Research
In a move that underscores Qatar’s ambition to establish itself as a global hub for innovation and scientific research, the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, has issued Law No. 8 of 2025 to promote innovation and research. Additionally, through Emiri Decree No. 19 of 2025, the Qatar Foundation for the Promotion of Innovation and Scientific Research has been established—a strategic step marking a significant shift in diversifying Qatar’s economy and aiming to enhance the country’s competitiveness at regional and international levels.
In this context, Engineer Omar Al-Ansari, Secretary-General of the Qatar Research, Development, and Innovation Council, emphasized that the new decree represents a qualitative leap that further solidifies Qatar’s position as a leading global center for innovation and scientific excellence—aligned with economic transformations and the goals of Qatar National Vision 2030. Al-Ansari added that these measures provide a strong foundation for accelerating sustainable development by embedding innovation as a central pillar for the growth of the national economy—alongside boosting productivity, competitiveness, and diversifying income sources.
The establishment of the foundation aims to create a conducive environment for creative minds and researchers by funding research projects, supporting partnerships with international institutions, and stimulating private-sector investments in innovation and technology. The foundation will also contribute to advancing the national innovation system through specialized training programs and workshops that enhance the skills of young Qataris and foster entrepreneurship.
This strategic direction highlights the Qatari government’s commitment to diversifying the national economy and reducing reliance on traditional sectors such as oil and gas—in line with future plans to build a sustainable knowledge-based economy. At the same time, this approach reaffirms the country’s efforts to create a stable economic environment that attracts foreign investment and strengthens international confidence in Qatar’s economic adaptability.
In recent years, Qatar has made remarkable progress in global innovation rankings. Supportive policy frameworks and significant advancements in education and technology have substantially strengthened research and development dynamics. The new measures are expected to further accelerate this progress and open new avenues for collaboration with international research centers—a crucial step in positioning Qatar as a hub for creativity and excellence.
These initiatives reflect a comprehensive vision aimed at integrating innovation across all economic sectors and expanding opportunities for national talent—aligned with the goal of achieving inclusive and sustainable development. With this growing momentum, Qatar continues its ambitious journey toward a knowledge- and innovation-based future—founded on partnership, cooperation, and global openness.
