Qatar warns Iran war’s energy shock has yet to peak, rejects Hormuz fees
Qatar’s deputy prime minister, Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, warned at a Doha security forum that the Iran war’s effects on energy supplies, trade and economic growth could worsen in the coming months. Al Jazeera reports that he opposed transit fees in the Strait of Hormuz, while saying Qatar remains in contact with Tehran and is pursuing mediation alongside stronger defence preparations.
Bottom line — Repairs to Qatar’s damaged Ras Laffan facilities are expected to take several years, Al Jazeera reports.
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Al Jazeera reports that Iranian strikes damaged facilities at Qatar’s Ras Laffan industrial complex in March.
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Al Thani said Qatar maintains contact with Iran despite disagreements, pointing to their shared offshore gasfield, according to Al Jazeera.
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He hopes mediation involving Qatar, Pakistan and Oman can help secure an agreement between Iran, the United States and other parties, Al Jazeera reports.
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Al Thani said a lasting settlement should involve Gulf states, Pakistan and Türkiye, in consultation with international allies.
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He said a new regional defence partnership is planned, with air defence, counter-drone measures and cybersecurity among its priorities; the partners were not named.
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Al Thani credited decades of defence cooperation with Washington with preventing more than 90 per cent of attacks, according to Al Jazeera.
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Qatar is continuing to develop Al Udeid airbase, which hosts US forces and was targeted during the conflict, Al Jazeera reports.