Iranian Foreign Minister Visits Doha Following Missile Strikes on Qatar

DUBAI- Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi traveled to Doha on Wednesday to attend the funeral of former Qatari Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani, just days after Iran launched missile strikes against what it described as U.S. military targets in Qatar amid the escalating conflict with Washington.

According to Iran’s ISNA news agency, Araghchi arrived in the Qatari capital to participate in funeral ceremonies for the former emir, whose death was announced on Sunday.

The visit comes against the backdrop of sharply heightened tensions between Tehran and Doha after Iran carried out attacks inside Qatar, a Gulf state that has played a mediating role between the United States and Iran during the ongoing conflict.

Iran most recently launched strikes on Sunday, the same day the death of the former Qatari ruler was announced.

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said its forces had targeted Al Udeid Air Base, the largest U.S. military installation in the Middle East, using ballistic missiles. Tehran said the operation was directed at U.S. military assets rather than Qatari facilities.

Qatar has served as an important diplomatic intermediary between Washington and Tehran during periods of regional tension, including throughout the current conflict.

Araghchi’s attendance at the funeral highlights the continuation of diplomatic engagement between Iran and Qatar despite the recent military confrontation and the broader escalation between Iran and the United States.

Neither Iranian officials nor Qatari authorities immediately announced details of any bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the funeral ceremonies.

The visit comes as the regional security situation remains volatile following continued exchanges of military strikes between Iran and the United States, with Gulf states seeking to manage the impact of the conflict while maintaining diplomatic channels.