Qatar Expels Iranian Military and Security Attachés, Cites Repeated Attacks and "Blatant Aggression"

Qatar's Foreign Ministry announced Wednesday night, March 18, that the military attaché and security attaché of the Islamic Republic's embassy in Doha — along with their staff — have been declared persona non grata and must leave the country within a maximum of 24 hours. According to the ministry, the decision was formally communicated to the Islamic Republic's embassy via an official diplomatic note, and was raised in a meeting between Ibrahim Yousuf Fakhro, Director of the Protocol Department of Qatar's Foreign Ministry, and Ali Saleh Abadi, Iran's Ambassador in Doha. The statement emphasized that this action was taken in response to repeated attacks by the Islamic Republic and what it called "blatant aggression" against Qatar — attacks that Doha says have violated Qatar's sovereignty and security, in contravention of international law and UN Security Council Resolution 2817. Qatar's Foreign Ministry warned that continued behavior of this kind will be met with further measures from Doha, and stressed that Qatar will act to protect its sovereignty, security, and national interests. Qatar also reserved the right to take any necessary action in defense of its security and sovereignty within the framework of international law.