A recent development has seen an Iranian legislator urge Qatar, on Thursday, to forcibly remove U.S. troops, and permit the stationing of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards’ missiles within its borders as a thought-out strategy to counter Israel. This move, if realized, could further stoke animosity in the region. A deadly Israeli assault in Doha, which occurred the previous Tuesday, had resulted in the unfortunate deaths of a Qatari security official, along with several others affiliated with Hamas. This incident sparked speculation of U.S. involvement, thereby placing Qatar in a very tricky situation.
The escalating scenario is testament to the unremitting tensions in the Middle East, with intersecting U.S. military presence, Israeli operations, and an influential Iran, inciting fears of a wider conflict. The statement delivered by Tehran on Thursday is indicative of the country’s growing audacity to expand its military influence towards the deeper parts of the Persian Gulf. The comments came from the Iranian legislator Mojtaba Zarei, who had addressed the Emir of Qatar, Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, directly.
Zarei expressed his views, stating, ‘My proposition involves the expulsion of the U.S. Army, deemed to be Israel’s accomplice, from Qatar, along with the deployment of the Revolutionary Guard aerospace force’s Fattah hypersonic missiles within your territory to uphold your sovereignty.’ Furthermore, the Emir ‘should solicit assistance from the Revolutionary Guard aerospace force to station in Qatar.’ This request essentially sends an appeal to Qatar to accommodate Iranian missile deployment within its borders as a countermeasure against American and Israeli forces.
Tehran’s armed divisions are adamant that the Israeli assault would not have transpired without the assistance of the U.S., and publicly accuse Washington of endorsing ‘the transgressions of the Zionist government.’ Major General Abdolrahim Mousavi, who serves as the chief of staff for Iranian armed forces, iterates Tehran’s commitment to the Gulf, avowing, ‘The Armed Forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran will not hesitate to extend support to our Qatari counterparts.’
U.S. President, Donald Trump, was of the perspective that Israel acted autonomously. Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, declared that his nation would take ‘full responsibility’ for the operation. Amercian armed forces are hosted by Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, the most massive installation of its kind in the Middle East, which has for a long time been a source of contention with Tehran.
During the 12-day war between Israel and Iran in June, Al Udeid was targeted with missile attacks from Iran in response to U.S. raids on Iranian nuclear facilities. Qatari air defense systems effectively intercepted most of the missiles and no casualties were reported by officials. Iran made sure Qatar was aware of the imminent missile strike in advance.
What is truly eye-catching is the tricky diplomacy that Qatar has to balance, preserving its robust ties with the U.S. while establishing a relationship with Iran. For Tehran, Zarei’s missile provision signifies its readiness to establish its military dominance in the region despite the existing U.S. presence.
U.S. President, Donald Trump, writes, ‘This morning, the Trump Administration was informed delineating an Israeli offensive against Hamas, unfortunately operating from a suburb in Doha, the capital city of Qatar. The decision was solely the brainchild of Prime Minister Netanyahu and not mine. It’s inappropriate for anyone to resort to bombing within Qatar’s borders, a sovereign nation and an ally of the U.S., working diligently and taking substantial risks to facilitate peace. Israel or America’s objectives aren’t furthered by such actions.’
He further emphasizes, ‘Qatar continues to be a stalwart ally and friend of the U.S., and I am deeply saddened about the site of the attack.’ The unfolding events hint at a future exacerbation in the tensions plaguing the Gulf. It would be an important area of attention in the forthcoming weeks to see how Qatar navigates the conflicting interests of Iran and the U.S., besides managing the regional security preoccupations.
The post Iranian Legislator Urges Qatar to House Revolutionary Guards’ Missiles appeared first on Real News Now.
About Author
