Source: Government of Qatar
New York | September 04, 2026
The State of Qatar has rejected Iran’s justification for attacks on its territory, saying the allegations have no legal basis and cannot absolve Tehran of responsibility under international law.
In two identical letters sent to HE United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and HE Permanent Representative of the French Republic to the UN Jerome Bonnafont, who is holding the rotating presidency of the Security Council, Qatar said the Iranian attacks, which began on Feb., 28, 2026, clearly violated the UN Charter and international law.
The letters were delivered by HE Permanent Representative of the State of Qatar to the UN Sheikha Alya Ahmed bin Saif Al-Thani, in response to a communication from Iran’s acting charge d’affaires to the UN.
Qatar said Tehran’s repeated claims could not provide a legal basis for the attacks, citting Article 2(4) of the UN Charter, which prohibits the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state.
Doha also referred to UN Security Council Resolution 2817 (2026), which it said had strongly condemned Iran’s attacks and described them as a violation of international law and a serious threat to international peace and security.
The Qatari letters said Iran’s own reliance on the UN General Assembly’s 1974 definition of aggression undermined its position. They pointed to provisions defining the bombardment of another state’s territory, the use of weapons against another state, and the blockade of ports or coasts as acts of aggression. Qatar said those provisions applied to repeated Iranian missile and drone attacks on its territory, as well as Iran’s decision to close the Strait of Hormuz and disrupt maritime navigation.
The letters rejected Iran’s invocation of the right to self-defense under Article 51 of the UN Charter, arguing that the conditions required for such a justification had not been met. Qatar also said Security Council Resolution 2817 and UN Human Rights Council Resolution 61/1 affirmed the right of states to defend themselves, individually or collectively, against armed attacks by Iran. The Qatari government said it had previously informed the Security Council, through a series of letters between March and July, of Iranian attacks on its territory and territorial waters” attacks that targeted civilian infrastructure, including energy facilities, tankers and commercial vessels.
It accused Iran of violating the 1949 Geneva Conventions and Additional Protocol I, as well as fundamental principles of international humanitarian law, including the protection of civilians and civilian objects, the prohibition of indiscriminate attacks, proportionality and the obligation to take precautions to minimize civilian harm.
Qatar said Resolution 2817 also condemned attacks on residential areas and civilian objects, as well as civilian casualties and damage to civilian buildings. The letters said Iran was internationally responsible for the damage caused by its actions and would be required, as appropriate, to provide full compensation for Qatar’s losses.
Qatar said it was still assessing and documenting the damage and losses resulting from the attacks and was reserving all its rights in this regard. It dismissed Iran’s demand that Qatar pay compensation as an attempt to reverse the parties’ actual responsibilities.
The Qatari government also reiterated its call for Iran to respect freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, describing it as an established principle of customary and written international law. Qatar rejected Iran’s claims concerning the strait as a justification for disrupting legitimate international navigation, threatening or attacking commercial vessels, or invoking self-defense.
Security Council Resolution 2817, Qatar said, explicitly affirmed the rights and freedoms of transport and commercial vessels under international law, as well as states’ right to defend their vessels against attacks in accordance with international law.
The resolution also condemned any actions or threats by Iran aimed at closing the Strait of Hormuz, disrupting international navigation or otherwise interfering with maritime traffic, as well as threats to maritime security in the Bab Al Mandab Strait.
Qatar described Iran’s allegations against it as false and without foundation, accusing Tehran of misrepresenting established principles of international law and attempting to distort the situation before the Security Council. It also highlighted the allegations go against Qatar’s continuing diplomatic efforts and mediation initiatives aimed at resolving the conflict.
Qatar reaffirmed its right to seek full compensation for the resulting damage. It also said it retained its full right to respond and its inherent right to self-defense under Article 51 of the UN Charter, in a manner proportionate to the nature of the aggression, to protect its sovereignty, security and national interests.
