Iran’s foreign ministry spokesperson Esmail Baqaei has said Iran’s military strikes last night on US Al Udeid airbase was “in exercise of our self-defence under Article 51 of the UN Charter” in response to the US’ “unprovoked aggression” against Iran on Sunday.

“This act of self-defense had nothing to do with our friendly neighbour Qatar as we enjoy excellent and deeply rooted relationships,” he said in a post on X.

“Iran remains fully committed to its good-neighbourliness policy with respect to the State of Qatar and other neighboring countries.

“We resolve not to let US/Israeli criminal aggressions and malign policies against Iran create division between us and the brotherly countries of the region.”