An Iranian lawmaker recently made a strong statement that has raised eyebrows across the Middle East. Mojtaba Zarei, a member of Iran’s parliament, urged Qatar’s leader to take bold steps in response to rising tensions with Israel.
He suggested that Qatar should ask Iran’s Revolutionary Guard to station advanced weapons, including hypersonic missiles, to defend against Israeli threats.
Zarei addressed Qatar’s Emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, directly on the social media platform X. In his message, he called for the removal of U.S. forces from Qatar’s military base.
He argued that Iranian aerospace forces should take their place to better protect Qatar from attacks. This recommendation has drawn attention because Qatar currently hosts the largest U.S. military base in the Middle East.
At the same time, Iran’s top military official, Maj. Gen. Mohammad Bagheri Mousavi, also commented on the situation. He promised that Tehran would never hesitate to support and defend Qatar if Israel attacks the country. This promise added to the growing concerns and tensions in the region.
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What Led to Qatar’s Call for Iran’s Help?
The call for Iran’s help comes after a deadly incident on September 9. An Israeli strike in Doha, the capital of Qatar, resulted in the deaths of several people. Among the dead were a Qatari security officer and multiple members of Hamas, the Palestinian organization. Iran quickly accused the U.S. of helping Israel carry out the attack. However, both former U.S. President Donald Trump and Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu denied this, saying that Israel acted alone.
Qatar’s position in the Middle East is delicate. It maintains close relations with the United States, which uses the Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar as its main base for operations in the region. At the same time, Qatar has friendly ties with Iran. This situation makes it difficult for Doha to balance both relationships without upsetting one side.
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Adding to this, Qatar’s Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani made a statement earlier this week. He condemned Israel’s actions and called on the global community to stop applying double standards. He demanded that Israel face consequences for its aggression. His remarks came before a closed-door Arab-Islamic Emergency Summit, where leaders discussed the growing violence and instability.
The Importance of Qatar’s Al Udeid Air Base
The Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar plays a major role in the U.S. military’s presence in the Middle East. It is the largest American base in the region and is used for coordinating operations against extremist groups and other threats. The base has been an essential part of U.S. strategy in countries like Iraq, Syria, and Afghanistan.
Qatar’s decision to host this base has helped the country maintain strong military and economic ties with the U.S. However, the presence of this base also makes Qatar a target for other regional powers, including Iran and groups opposed to U.S. influence. With tensions now high, calls like Zarei’s put Qatar in a difficult situation where it must choose between its Western alliances and regional relationships.
What Iran’s Offer Means
The Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) is a powerful military force with advanced missile systems and aircraft. Zarei’s suggestion that Qatar should ask for Iran’s protection by allowing IRGC forces to set up hypersonic missiles signals a shift toward more aggressive military planning.
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Hypersonic missiles are fast-moving weapons that can carry heavy payloads and strike targets quickly. These types of weapons are considered advanced and are difficult to intercept. If Iran’s forces were to be stationed in Qatar, it could drastically change the balance of military power in the region.
However, the proposal also complicates matters. The U.S. would see such a move as a direct challenge to its presence and security strategy in the region. It could lead to further diplomatic conflicts between Washington and Doha. Moreover, it might also strain Qatar’s relationships with its other neighbors.