DOHA (The Thursday Times) — The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) strongly reaffirmed its condemnation of violations against Qatari sovereignty and called for an immediate end to hostilities across the region during its 49th Extraordinary Ministerial Meeting, held behind closed doors in Doha on Tuesday night.
The emergency meeting of foreign ministers, convened at the Sheraton Grand Doha, was dominated by discussions on regional security following Iran’s missile strike on the U.S. Al-Udeid airbase in Qatar, which occurred just one day earlier. This retaliatory strike came in response to a U.S. attack on Iranian nuclear sites.
At a press conference following the meeting, GCC Secretary-General Jasem Albudaiwi presented nine resolutions from the final communiqué. The foremost among them was a unified condemnation of Iran’s military action.
“The Council expressed its deep regret and strong condemnation of the missile attacks carried out by the Islamic Republic of Iran,” said Albudaiwi. “This act constitutes a clear, unacceptable and dangerous violation of Qatar’s sovereignty and its airspace.”
Late Monday, Iran launched a barrage of missiles at Al-Udeid airbase, a strategic U.S. military installation in Qatar. While Iran framed the assault as retaliatory, Qatar’s Ministry of Defence reported that its air defence systems successfully intercepted the missiles, preventing casualties or structural damage. The GCC praised Qatari authorities for their swift and effective response to the incursion.
The incident occurred in the broader context of an intense two-week conflict between Iran and Israel, which was formally brought to a halt on Tuesday after a ceasefire brokered by U.S. President Donald Trump, with Qatar playing a key mediating role.
“The Ministerial Council welcomed the ceasefire announcement by His Excellency President Donald Trump,” Albudaiwi continued. “It also commended the vital role played by the State of Qatar in facilitating and supporting the diplomatic process.”
Strong condemnation of Israeli actions in Gaza
In addition to condemning Iran’s attack, the GCC also addressed the continuing humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza, sharply criticising Israel’s military campaign. Albudaiwi described the situation as a “genocide” and noted the Council’s alarm at the systematic targeting of Palestinian civilians.
“The Council condemned the continuation of the Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip and the killing of civilians, stressing its rejection of the occupation’s military escalation in both the northern and southern regions,” Albudaiwi stated.
The GCC renewed its call for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and urged Washington to take further steps towards brokering a comprehensive cessation of hostilities. The bloc underscored the urgency of reviving diplomatic negotiations to halt Israel’s ongoing assault on the besieged enclave.
Qatar, alongside Egypt and the United States, had previously succeeded in brokering a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in January 2025. However, that truce collapsed in March when Israel resumed and escalated its military campaign in the Gaza Strip.
Since October 7, 2023, Israel’s bombardment of Gaza has resulted in the deaths of more than 61,700 Palestinians, primarily women and children. The actual death toll is believed to be significantly higher, with thousands more feared trapped beneath rubble and the local administration overwhelmed by the scale of casualties.
On Tuesday, Qatar’s Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, reiterated that Qatar remains fully engaged in mediation efforts, emphasising that the country’s commitment to peace and diplomacy has not wavered despite regional turmoil.
“Life is gradually returning to normal after the Iranian missile attack,” Sheikh Mohammed said, while confirming Qatar’s ongoing efforts to ease tensions across the region.
