Qatar Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani criticised Iran for its blockade on the economically critical maritime passage the Strait of Hormuz and noted its repercussions on Gulf countries.
In a joint press conference in Doha with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, Qatar’s top diplomat told the media that Iran should not use the waterway as a tool for blackmail against the Gulf nations.
“Iran should not use this strait as a weapon to pressure or to blackmail the Gulf countries,” he said.
Sheikh Mohammad highlighted the effects of the ongoing U.S-Iran conflict on Gulf countries, with Tehran attacking U.S bases and civilian infrastructure, such as airports and energy facilities. He also said the blockade on the strait since the beginning of the war had hurt regional economies due to the halt on major maritime exports.
The premier said, “The waterway has been ‘used as a weapon in this war’ that is having harsh repercussions on Gulf states, specifically economic ones.”
He also emphasised that around 20 per cent of the world’s oil and natural gases passes through the strait.
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan reiterated Sheikh Mohammad’s statement and said that the strait must not be used as a weapon.
Sheikh Mohammad also described the broader situation as “dire circumstances” due to the war against Iran by the United States and Israel. He talked about Qatar’s recent visit to the United States, which intended to assist the mediation process.
“The visit focused primarily on supporting the Pakistani diplomatic efforts and ensuring a positive response to these efforts to reach a solution as quickly as possible,” he said.
Turkey has also been involved in co-operating with Qatar, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, and other Gulf countries, with Hakan Fadan pointing towards continued discussions “regarding the ongoing negotiations”.
