Qatar warns global energy shockwaves from Iran war have yet to peak

Deputy PM calls for dialogue with Tehran, highlights US defence ties and rejects Strait of Hormuz transit fees. Save Share Doha, Qatar —Qatar’s deputy prime minister has warned that global energy shockwaves from the US-Israel war on Iran have yet to reach their peak, raising concerns about further disruption to supplies, international trade and economic growth. Speaking at the Global Security Forum in Doha on Monday, Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, who also serves as Minister of State for Defence Affairs, identified several threats facing Qatar and the wider Gulf, including risks to sovereignty and disruptions to energy supplies. “We haven’t reached the peak with respect to energy,” he said, warning of further repercussions “in the coming days and months”. His remarks come amid continued instability in the Strait of Hormuz – a vital waterway for global oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG) shipments – following the US-Israeli attacks on Iran on February 28, and Tehran’s retaliatory strikes across the region. Iranian strikes on Qatar’s Ras Laffan industrial complex in March damaged facilities, with repairs expected to take several years. “We were surprised,” Al Thani said when asked about the attack, adding that there had since been “a lot of discussion with Iran”. He said Qatar had drawn lessons from the strikes, “to make sure that all of our assets will be protected from any unexpected attack”. Al Thani also warned against imposing tolls on ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz. “Transit fees should not be applied,” he said, adding that uncertainty over the waterway would ultimately affect consumers worldwide. Despite the attacks, Al Thani said Qatar continued to maintain contact with Tehran. “We never stop our communication,” he said, adding that the two countries remained in touch at different levels despite their disagreements. He described Qatar’s relationship with Iran before the attacks as one of trust, pointing to their shared offshore gasfield and longstanding economic interests. Al Thani expressed hope that mediation efforts involving Qatar, Pakistan and Oman would help produce an agreement between the United States, Iran and other parties, including Israel. He said a sustainable settlement would require broader regional dialogue involving Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, Pakistan and Turkiye, in consultation with international allies. “We need to build this on trust,” he added....