Qatar warns US–Iran escalation would trigger regional catastrophe

Qatar has voiced deep concern over rising tensions between the United States and Iran, warning that any further escalation could plunge the Middle East and surrounding regions into severe turmoil.

Qatari Foreign Ministry spokesperson Majed Mohammed Al-Ansari said in a statement on Tuesday (January 13) that any increase in hostilities between Washington and Tehran would have “grave consequences not only for the Middle East, but also for neighbouring regions,” stressing Doha’s position in favour of de-escalation.

The warning comes amid intensifying anti-government protests across Iran and sharpening rhetoric between Tehran and Washington.

Qatar has previously played a key mediating role between the two rivals. In June last year, the United States carried out air strikes on several sites linked to Iran’s nuclear programme. Iran responded by launching missiles at the US Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar — the first attack by a foreign state on Qatari soil. Doha later helped broker a ceasefire between the two sides, which remains in effect.

Iran has been gripped by widespread protests for the past two weeks, driven largely by a prolonged economic crisis and runaway inflation. Years of currency depreciation have pushed the Iranian rial to one of the weakest currencies globally, now trading at about 994,055 rials to the US dollar.

The currency collapse has sharply increased the cost of basic necessities, including food, clothing, housing and healthcare, placing severe strain on ordinary Iranians.

The unrest began on December 28, when wholesale and retail traders in Tehran staged a strike to protest rising prices and living costs. The demonstrations quickly spread across cities and towns in all 31 provinces.

Authorities have responded by shutting down internet and mobile services nationwide and deploying police, security forces and the military. Clashes between protesters and security forces have reportedly left nearly 12,000 people dead, according to various sources, though independent verification remains difficult due to communication blackouts.

US President Donald Trump has repeatedly expressed support for the Iranian protesters. On Tuesday, he urged them to continue their movement, saying US assistance would arrive “soon.”

Iranian officials, meanwhile, have warned that any US military strike on Iran would be met with retaliation, including attacks on US military bases across the Middle East.