Qatar Warns Global Energy Shock From Iran Conflict Has Yet to Peak

Doha, Qatar — Qatar's Deputy Prime Minister Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, who also serves as Minister of State for Defense Affairs, warned that the global energy shocks stemming from the conflict between the US and Israel and Iran have yet to peak. Speaking at the Global Security Forum in Doha on Monday, he voiced concern about the risk of further disruptions to supply, international trade and economic growth.

Threats to Qatar and the wider Gulf

At the forum, Al Thani pointed to a range of threats facing Qatar and the wider Gulf region, including risks to sovereignty and disruptions to energy supplies.

"We have not reached the peak yet in energy," he said, warning of further consequences "in the coming days and months."

The remarks came as the Strait of Hormuz — the key shipping lane for global oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG) shipments — remains unsettled after US-Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28 and Tehran's retaliatory attacks across the region.

Damage at Ras Laffan and defense lessons

Iranian attacks on Qatar's Ras Laffan industrial complex in March damaged infrastructure, with repairs expected to take years.

"We were surprised," Al Thani said when asked about the attack, noting that there had since been "a lot of exchanges with Iran."

He said Qatar had drawn lessons from the attacks "to ensure that all our assets are protected against any surprise attack."

Qatar's deputy prime minister also rejected the imposition of fees on vessels passing through the Strait of Hormuz. "There should be no transit fees," he said, adding that uncertainty along the shipping lane would ultimately affect consumers around the world.

"We never stopped communicating"

Despite the attacks, Al Thani said Qatar has maintained contact with Tehran. "We never stopped communicating," he said, noting the two countries remain in touch at various levels despite their differences.

He described Qatari-Iranian relations before the attacks as trusted ties built on a shared offshore gas field and long-standing economic interests.

The deputy prime minister expressed hope that mediation efforts involving Qatar, Pakistan and Oman would help produce an agreement between the United States, Iran and other parties concerned, including Israel. In his view, a lasting solution would require broader regional dialogue involving the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states, Pakistan and Turkey, along with consultations with international allies.

"We need to build this on a foundation of trust," he said, suggesting the development of economic ties with Iran to prevent future conflict, citing cooperation between France and Germany after decades of enmity.

"Iran is our neighbor. We need to find a way to live with them," Al Thani said.

Defense ties with the US

Qatar's deputy prime minister also praised the long-standing defense partnership with Washington, saying "more than 90%" of attacks were thwarted thanks to shared expertise and military capabilities built over three to four decades.

He said Qatar is continuing to develop Al Udeid Air Base, which hosts US forces and personnel from partner countries. The base was targeted by Iran during the conflict, and Qatar announced it had shot down two Iranian fighter jets during an attack earlier in March.

Al Thani also announced plans for a new regional defense partnership, saying Qatar is prioritizing areas including air defense, counter-drone measures and cybersecurity. "I am pleased to announce today that we will soon unveil a new partnership," he said, without naming the regional partners involved.

Qatar's deputy prime minister stressed that mediation efforts do not diminish his country's commitment to defending its territory. "Mediation does not mean we do not need to be ready for any defensive action on our part," he said.