Doha, Qatar – In strongly worded statements, the spokesperson for the Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Majid Al-Ansari, issued stark warnings about the repercussions of the current crisis in the Gulf region. He described the closure of the Strait of Hormuz as “absurd” and a threat to global supply chains, the energy industry, and international food security. Al-Ansari emphasized that Doha, despite not currently being directly involved in mediation efforts, is following with concern the crossing of numerous “red lines” since the outbreak of the conflict.
decisive Qatari messages to Iran
Al-Ansari explained that Qatar conveyed clear and direct messages to the Iranian Foreign Minister. These messages emphasized that threatening to target energy facilities in the Gulf is not a solution, but will only plunge the region into new and complex challenges. The spokesperson condemned any targeting of infrastructure, demanding that any solution must begin with Iran ceasing its attacks on countries in the region. He also condemned Iranian violations against Qatar and its neighbors.
Gulf Coordination
Regarding defensive measures, the spokesperson affirmed that there is ongoing and continuous coordination among the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states. He explained that everyone is prepared to deal with any threats.
He stated, “We are not a party to this war, and we are currently focused on defending our sovereignty, but we are in daily contact with all stakeholders to de-escalate the situation.” He emphasized that attacks on energy facilities are completely unacceptable, regardless of who is responsible.
The future of the Strait of Hormuz and international mediation
Regarding a path to a solution, Al-Ansari noted the existence of various initiatives to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. He revealed that Qatari ships and tankers have been unable to transit due to the current closure. He emphasized that any future agreement concerning the strait must include all regional parties. Furthermore, he stressed the necessity of international guarantees. The spokesperson emphasized that closing the strait violates international law and that no party has the right to impose its will. Rather, consensus among the littoral states is essential.
Al-Ansari concluded his remarks by mentioning the extensive international efforts to address the crisis, particularly in light of the deadline set by the US administration. He affirmed Qatar’s support for the efforts of its brothers and the Pakistani mediation to ensure that the situation does not spiral out of control, as “there are no winners in this war.”
