ISTANBUL

Qatar’s Cabinet on Wednesday condemned Iranian attacks as a “blatant violation” of the country’s sovereignty and the principles of good neighborliness, warning of serious repercussions.

In a statement carried by Al Jazeera television, the Cabinet called the Iranian attacks “unjustified,” calling for “the immediate cessation of any escalatory actions and intensified diplomacy to contain the crisis and preserve regional security.”

It vowed that Qatar “will not hesitate to defend its sovereignty and security and protect its people, residents and national interests.”

Regional escalation has flared since Feb. 28, when Israel and the US launched a joint attack against Iran, killing more than 1,200 people and injuring another 10,000.

Tehran has retaliated with drone and missile strikes targeting Israel, Jordan, Iraq, and Gulf countries that are home to US military assets.