Qatar warns global energy disruption from Iran war may worsen
Doha warns prolonged conflict threatens energy supplies, international trade and economic growth while calling for regional dialogue and maritime stability
DOHA, Qatar (MNTV) — Qatar has warned that the global economic consequences of the war involving the United States, Israel and Iran have yet to reach their peak, raising concerns about further disruption to energy supplies, international trade and economic growth.
According to Al Jazeera, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Defense Affairs Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman Al Thani issued the warning during the Global Security Forum in Doha.
He said the repercussions could continue over the coming days and months as instability affects the Gulf and critical maritime routes.
The Strait of Hormuz remains central to the crisis because of its importance to international oil and liquefied natural gas shipments. Disruptions in the waterway can affect energy markets, shipping costs and consumers far beyond the Middle East.
The conflict followed US-Israeli attacks on Iran on February 28 and subsequent Iranian retaliation across the region.
Qatar has also suffered damage to critical infrastructure, with strikes on the Ras Laffan industrial complex in March affecting facilities associated with its liquefied natural gas industry. Repairs are expected to take several years, according to Al Jazeera’s report.
Al Thani said Qatar had drawn lessons from the attacks and was seeking to improve protection for national assets against unexpected threats.
He also rejected proposals to impose transit fees on vessels passing through the Strait of Hormuz, arguing that such charges would worsen uncertainty and ultimately affect consumers worldwide.
Despite the conflict, Qatar has maintained communication with Tehran. Al Thani said relations before the attacks had been based on trust and shared economic interests, including a major offshore gasfield shared by the two countries.
He expressed hope that mediation involving Qatar, Pakistan and Oman could help bring the United States, Iran and other parties, including Israel, toward an agreement.
He also argued that a sustainable settlement would require wider dialogue involving Gulf Cooperation Council countries, Pakistan, Türkiye and international partners.
Al Thani suggested that stronger economic ties could help prevent future conflict, pointing to cooperation between France and Germany after decades of hostility.
He stressed that Iran was Qatar’s neighbor and that regional countries needed to find ways to coexist despite their differences.
The Qatari official also highlighted the country’s longstanding defense partnership with Washington.
He said shared expertise and military capabilities developed over several decades had helped prevent more than 90 percent of attacks, according to his assessment.
Qatar is continuing to develop Al Udeid airbase, which hosts US forces and personnel from partner countries. The base was itself targeted during the conflict, and Qatar reported shooting down two Iranian warplanes during an attack in early March.
Al Thani also announced plans for a new regional defense partnership focused on air defense, counter-drone measures and cybersecurity, although he did not identify the participating countries.
The warning reflects concerns that damage to energy infrastructure and prolonged instability could extend the conflict’s economic consequences well beyond the region.
Qatar’s position combines calls for diplomacy with efforts to strengthen domestic defenses and protect its strategic energy sector.
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