Qatar has issued a stark warning that any military escalation between the United States and Iran could trigger catastrophic consequences across the Middle East and beyond, as tensions spike over Washington’s threats of intervention in Tehran’s violent crackdown on nationwide protests, Qatar’s foreign ministry said Tuesday in Doha. Majed al-Ansari, a ministry spokesperson, emphasised that regional stability hangs in the balance and called on both sides to avoid further escalation and pursue diplomacy rather than conflict.

The warning comes amid reports that the U.S. is considering punitive actions against Iranian authorities, raising fears of wider conflict among Gulf states and global powers. Qatar, which hosts a major U.S. military base, has played a mediating role and reiterated its support for diplomatic engagement to defuse mounting tensions and protect the region from a destructive confrontation.