Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al Thani has described Iran’s attacks on Gulf countries as a “dangerous miscalculation”, warning that the escalation risks destabilizing the region and sending shock waves through the global economy.

Speaking to the media for the first time since Qatar has been the target of repeated missile and drone attacks, the prime minister told Sky News that the country had entered what he called “a very difficult period” but praised the professionalism of its defense and security forces.

For a man who has mediated some of the world’s most complex crises, what struck me was how angry he was about Iran’s actions.

“It’s a great feeling of betrayal,” he told me. “Barely an hour after the start of the war, Qatar and other Gulf countries were attacked. We made it clear that we were not going to participate in any war against our neighbors.”

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For a country that has long kept diplomatic channels open with Tehran – even during the most volatile times – the tone was surprising.

Qatar has traditionally positioned itself as a global mediator, able to talk to everyone. That relationship with Tehran now seems strained.

“All the attacks on the Gulf countries… we never expected this from our neighbor,” he said. “We have always tried to preserve a good relationship with Iran, but the justifications and pretexts they use are completely rejected.”

However, even as he condemned the attacks, the prime minister repeatedly emphasized that military escalation would only deepen the crisis and that the responsibility to back down falls on all parties.

“We continue looking for de-escalation,” he stated. “They are our neighbors, it is our destiny.”

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His message was not directed only at Tehran. He also called on the United States to reduce tensions, warning of the risk of the entire region falling into war.

Diplomacy, he argued, remains the only viable path out of the crisis.

“The Iranians’ miscalculation in attacking the Gulf countries has destroyed everything,” he said, but insisted that the response now must be to resume negotiations.

He also rejected claims that Iran’s attacks were aimed at military targets.

International airports, water services and gas infrastructure have been in Tehran’s sights.

The prime minister added: “25% of attacks target civilian facilities. What does this have to do with war? What do they want to achieve?”

Time and time again he mentioned what is at stake globally and that what happens in the Gulf will not stay in the Gulf.

Qatar supplies approximately 20% of the world’s gas and is one of the largest producers of fertilizers on the planet, meaning any sustained disruption would affect markets, food supplies and people around the world.

Although the Gulf States insist that this is not their fight, they are an integral aspect of it.

And that, perhaps, is the central danger of this moment: a war that began between the United States, Israel and Iran now drags in countries that do not want to be part of it, but that increasingly find themselves on its front line.