Qatar Expels Iran's Envoy After Attack on Ras Laffan

Qatar has expelled Iranian military and security diplomats in a sharp diplomatic escalation following a missile attack on Ras Laffan Industrial City, one of the world’s most critical energy facilities.

The Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that the military and security attachés at the Iranian embassy, along with their staff, have been declared “persona non grata” and ordered to leave the country within 24 hours.

The move comes in direct response to what Doha described as repeated Iranian aggression, including the recent ballistic missile strike on Ras Laffan, which caused significant damage to the liquefied natural gas complex but resulted in no casualties.

In an official statement, Qatari authorities said the attack constituted a “flagrant breach” of the country’s sovereignty and a violation of international law and United Nations resolutions. The government warned that continued hostile actions by Iran could prompt further measures to safeguard national security.

The escalation follows a wider regional conflict that has seen energy infrastructure across the Gulf increasingly targeted. The Ras Laffan strike—part of a series of retaliatory attacks linked to the ongoing war—has heightened concerns over global energy security, given the facility’s role as the world’s largest LNG export hub.

Despite the expulsion, Iran’s ambassador to Qatar remains in Doha, suggesting that diplomatic channels have not been fully severed. However, analysts say the decision marks one of the strongest responses yet by Qatar since the conflict began, signaling a shift from mediation efforts toward a firmer stance.

The incident has also triggered broader geopolitical repercussions, with global oil and gas markets reacting to fears of prolonged instability in the region. As tensions continue to rise, the targeting of critical infrastructure like Ras Laffan Industrial City underscores the growing risks to both regional security and global energy supplies.