As Israel and Iran Exchange Strikes, Qatar Wants Closer Ties With Tehran

Qatar’s emir and Iran’s president are becoming friendlier amidst the war between Israel and Iran. On June 18, Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani received a letter from Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian “pertaining to bilateral ties and the means to enhance them.” The full text of the letter is not public, but Pezeshkian’s message followed a June 14 phone call with Al Thani, during which the two leaders “reviewed the bilateral relations” and “discussed ways to support and strengthen them.”

The exchange between Al Thani and Pezeshkian demonstrates Qatar’s flourishing relationship with the Islamic Republic. While Doha persuaded Washington that it deserved recognition as a Major Non-NATO ally, it has been pursuing a working, if not warm, relationship with the regime in Iran.

Qatar Repeatedly Condemns Israel, Sides With Iran

Qatar’s minister of state for foreign affairs met with Iran’s ambassador to Qatar on June 13, less than 24 hours after Israel launched Operation Rising Lion. According to a Qatari readout, the officials “explored ways to enhance and develop” bilateral relations. The Qatari minister also condemned Israeli strikes in Iran.

Qatari Foreign Ministry spokesman Majed bin Mohammed al-Ansari levied harsher criticism in a June 17 press briefing. Ansari described Israel’s decision to strike Iran as “an uncalculated escalation” and singled out Israel as the “one regional actor” that “continues to be the main source of instability.”

Meanwhile, Qatari-owned Al Jazeera is exaggerating the impact of Iranian missile attacks against Israel. On June 15, an Iranian missile evaded Israeli air defenses and struck a home in northern Israel, killing four Arab-Israeli women. Al Jazeera’s coverage of the attack suggested that Israel refuses to build bomb shelters in Arab towns, deliberately exposing residents to enemy fire.

Growing Ties Between Iran and Qatar

Qatar is not the lone voice condemning Israel. For example, Emirati President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan also called Pezeshkian to express the United Arab Emirates’ “solidarity with Iran and its people.” However, Doha has repeatedly taken it a step further than its Gulf neighbors by continuing to express an active desire to deepen cooperation with Tehran.

In February 2025, Al Thani met in Tehran with Iranian officials, including Pezeshkian. Al Thani wrote on X that his visit was “part of our joint efforts to encourage more fruitful cooperation and expand existing partnerships.” In 2024, Iran exhibited its so-called “Gaza” drone at the Doha International Maritime Defense Exhibition (DIMDEX). Tehran also showcased antiship cruise missiles and radar systems at DIMDEX 2024 akin to those that the Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen have used to target American vessels.

Doha has also been working with Tehran to find a way to unlock Iranian funds that the United States froze after the October 7 massacre — a reminder that Qatar also avidly supports Hamas while nominally an American ally.

A Decisive Moment for U.S.-Qatar Relations

Qatar has long played both sides, pursuing friendship with the United States while courting American adversaries, such as Iran. This strategy may soon come to a head, especially if the U.S. military gets involved in the conflict. Qatar is home to Al Udeid Air Base, the largest U.S. military base in the region but, after Iran’s October 2024 missile attack on Israel, Doha indicated that it will “not accept launching attacks on any countries or peoples from the base.” Qatar, along with Kuwait and Saudi Arabia, reportedly reassured Iran in April that it would not allow the United States to use its Gulf bases to strike the Islamic Republic. Qatar’s threat is arguably more consequential given that certain crucial U.S. military capabilities are based at Al Udeid.

If President Donald Trump decides to unleash the U.S. military, Qatar may be forced to pick a side — Iran or the West. If Doha’s partiality toward Iran continues, the Trump administration should reassess Qatar’s Major Non-NATO Ally status, which there is already ample reason to rescind.

Natalie Ecanow is a senior research analyst at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD). For more analysis from Natalie and FDD, please subscribe HERE. Follow Natalie on X @NatalieEcanow. Follow FDD on X @FDD. FDD is a Washington, DC-based, nonpartisan research institute focusing on foreign policy and national security.