Doha: Qatar has ordered a group of Iranian diplomats to leave the country within 24 hours after a recent attack on its major gas facility. The diplomats, including military and security officials, were declared unwelcome and asked to exit immediately.
The decision came after a missile strike hit the Ras Laffan Industrial City, one of the world’s most important centres for liquefied natural gas production. Qatar said the attack caused damage to parts of the facility and raised serious concerns about national security.
Authorities in Doha blamed Iran for the strike and described it as a dangerous and irresponsible act. Officials said such actions violate international law and threaten stability in the region. There were no immediate reports of casualties, but emergency teams were deployed to control fires and assess the damage.
The expulsion of diplomats is seen as a strong diplomatic step and signals a sharp rise in tensions between the two countries. However, Qatar has not expelled Iran’s ambassador, which suggests that some diplomatic communication is still being maintained.
This incident comes at a time of growing conflict in the Middle East, with several countries facing attacks on key energy infrastructure. The situation has increased concerns about global energy supplies, as Qatar is one of the largest exporters of liquefied natural gas in the world.
Qatar has warned that it may take further action if such incidents continue, while the international community is closely watching the developments in the region.