Qatar Emir stresses need for 'de-escalation' between Iran, Israel in call with Trump

Qatar's Emir Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani stressed to US President Donald Trump the need to de-escalate tensions and reach a diplomatic solution between Israel and Iran in a phone call late on Friday, as Tehran and Tel Aviv exchanged attacks in the aftermath of Israel’s series of strikes on Friday.

Tamim and Trump discussed the latest developments in the region, with a focus on the Israeli attack on Iran, according to a statement from the Emiri Diwan.

The US president reportedly spoke of Washington’s readiness to participate in efforts to resolve the ongoing crisis in to "preserve regional security and stability".

Trump met with the Qatari Emir last month during his tour of the region, in his first major international trip since assuming the US presidency in January 2025.

Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani also held a call with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, where he said that Doha would work with international and regional partners to "urgently halt the aggression against Iran".

In his call with Araghchi, the Qatari FM reiterated Doha’s strong condemnation of the attack, which he called a violation of Iran's sovereignty and a clear breach of international law.

He added that "constructive dialogue between all parties remains the only way to defuse crises and resolve issues in a bid to ensure security and peace in the region".

The Qatari PM also held similar discussions with foreign ministers from Egypt, Oman and Jordan.

Israel launched a series of overnight strikes on Friday, targeting nuclear facilities, military installations and residences of senior officials in an operation dubbed Operation Rising Lion.

The attack killed at least 78 people, including Iran Revolutionary Guards Corps Hossein Salami, the Armed Forces Chief of Staff Maj. Gen. Mohammed Bagheri and senior military officer Gholam Ali Rashid.

Several nuclear scientists and civilians were also killed in the attack – the largest on Iranian soil since the Iran-Iraq War, which ended in 1988.

The attack was carried out by the Israeli military and Mossad intelligence services – in the biggest escalation between the regional enemies.

Tehran has vowed to "open the gates of hell" and retaliate. The country went on to launch several missiles in Tel Aviv, killing at least three Israelis and wounding dozens.

In response to the attack, the Qatari prime minister said: "While the world's countries are working hard to reach diplomatic solutions that will restore peace to the Middle East, Israel's absurd actions continue to destroy opportunities for peace and expose our peoples and global security and peace to imminent danger."

"The international community must stop these dangerous violations before it is too late," he added in a post on X.

The Qatari Foreign Ministry also strongly condemned the attack.

Several other Arab nations issued similar condemnations, as well as Turkey, China and Afghanistan.

Iran-allied groups, including Hamas, Hezbollah and Yemen’s Houthis also lambasted Israel’s attack.