DOHA, Qatar / ISTANBUL 

Qatar on Wednesday decried Iran’s “brutal targeting” of the Ras Laffan industrial site as a “direct threat” to its national security as well as regional stability.

“This attack constitutes a dangerous escalation, a blatant violation of the state's sovereignty, and a direct threat to its national security and the stability of the region,” the Qatari Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

Qatar declared Iranian Embassy military, security attaches persona non grata after attack.

Doha said despite its neutrality in this conflict and its commitment to avoiding any escalation, Iran continues to target Qatar and neighboring countries “in an irresponsible manner that undermines regional security and threatens international peace.”

QatarEnegy earlier Wednesday reported a missile attack on the Ras Laffan Industrial City, Qatar’s main site for the production of liquefied natural gas.

No casualties were reported.

Qatar stressed that it has repeatedly called for avoiding attacks on civilian and energy facilities, including those inside Iran, “in order to preserve the resources of the region's peoples and maintain international peace and security.”

“Iran, however, continues its escalatory policies, which are pushing the region toward the brink and dragging countries not party to this crisis into the conflict,” it warned.

The Iranian attack on Ras Laffan plant “constitutes a violation of Security Council Resolution 2817,” the ministry said, renewing its call for the UN Security Council to uphold its responsibilities in maintaining international peace and security and “to take the necessary measures to halt these serious violations and deter their perpetrators.”

Qatar stressed that “it reserves the right to respond, in accordance with Article 51 of the UN Charter and the right of self-defense guaranteed by international law.”

Qatar “will not hesitate to take all necessary measures to protect its sovereignty, security, and the safety of its citizens and residents,” the ministry said.

Wednesday’s attack came hours after a US-Israeli airstrike hit gas storage tanks at Iran’s South Pars field in the southern city of Asaluyeh, halting production at two refineries with a combined capacity of about 100 million cubic meters per day.

Regional escalations continued to rage since Israel and the US have launched a joint offensive on Iran on Feb. 28, killing so far around 1,300 people, including then-Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.

Iran has retaliated with drone and missile strikes targeting Israel, Jordan, Iraq, and Gulf countries hosting US military assets, causing casualties and damage to infrastructure while disrupting global markets and aviation.