Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs H E Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkiye H E Hakan Fidan addressing a joint press conference in Doha yesterday. Pic: Rajan Vadakkemuriyil / The Peninsula
Doha, Qatar: Warning against the resumption of war in the region, Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs H E Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani has said that Iran should not use Strait of Hormuz as a tool to blackmail Gulf states.
“The region is going through delicate and critical circumstances, especially amid the war involving Iran, and the developments taking place in the Strait of Hormuz area, which have affected freedom of navigation and turned the strait into a pressure tool in the ongoing conflict,” he said while addressing a joint press conference with Foreign Minister of Turkiye H E Hakan Fidan.
The Prime Minister noted, “Qatar fully supports the efforts undertaken by Pakistan to reach a political settlement to the war. It also supports reopening the Strait of Hormuz to maritime navigation and addressing all issues related to the Iranian nuclear program through diplomatic solutions.”
He also warned that a return to war would only lead to further destruction, underscoring the importance of supporting all efforts aimed at preventing the recurrence of current tensions and ensuring freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz as a shared regional and international interest.
The Prime Minister added that his recent visit to the US focused mainly on supporting Pakistani diplomatic efforts and urging all parties to respond positively in order to reach a swift resolution to the crisis, stressing that prolonging the war would not serve any party’s interests.
He said the visit also provided an opportunity to discuss with US officials the consequences of the continued war on the region and the world, praising the “great and significant” role played by Pakistan in reaching a ceasefire agreement and reaffirming Qatar’s support for these efforts.
He added that Qatar’s consultations are being conducted in full coordination with the Pakistani mediation, especially since Gulf countries, including Qatar, are among the parties most directly affected by the repercussions of the war.
The Prime Minister reiterated the joint support of Qatar and Turkiye for the Pakistani mediation and efforts aimed at achieving a ceasefire agreement and ending the war as quickly as possible, reopening the Strait of Hormuz, and restoring freedom of navigation to normal.
“My talks with the Turkish foreign minister covered the repercussions of the current crisis on Gulf countries, particularly the economic impacts, in addition to several other regional files, foremost among them the escalation in the Gaza Strip, the continued Israeli bombardment, policies of forced displacement, and the failure to implement agreements related to the unconditional entry of humanitarian aid.”
He also condemned the continued Israeli bombardment of villages and residential neighbourhoods in Lebanon and repeated threats to evacuate civilians saying that the current situation requires continued consultation and coordination among brotherly and friendly countries, particularly Turkiye.
“Qatar is enaged in close coordination with its partners and fellow members of the Gulf Cooperation Council and countries in the region to formulate an approach that restores regional stability, especially as many issues will require diplomatic solutions with Iran in the coming phase.”
He said that his meeting with Turkish foreign minister also discussed the strength of Qatari-Turkish relations and the strong partnership developed over the years under the vision of the two countries’ leaderships, covering areas such as politics, economy, energy, and military cooperation.
Hakan Fidan said he had conveyed the greetings of H E President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan to Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani during his meeting with H H the Amir earlier in the day, noting that they exchanged views on developments in the region.
“The current developments require stronger consultation and solidarity among regional countries,” he said, reaffirming Turkiye’s full support for Pakistan’s efforts and its readiness to provide all possible assistance to prevent renewed military operations in the region.
He added, “The war not only destabilizes the region but also threatens global stability and risks widespread destruction, noting the implications of closing the Strait of Hormuz on the global economy, energy security, and political and economic stability in the region.”
The Turkish foreign minister stressed that global public opinion is looking forward to an agreement that would reopen the strait and ensure freedom of navigation.
“At the same time, developments in Gaza should not be overlooked... genocide by Israel continues in Gaza, the West Bank, Lebanon, and Syria, and that Israeli expansionist policies in these areas have caused significant human losses and ongoing displacement and refugee crises.”
He said that relations between Qatar and Turkiye are witnessing advanced development in various fields, driven by a shared determination by the leaderships of both countries to strengthen a strategic partnership based on friendship, brotherhood, and tangible results.
Fidan again stressed the rejection of using the Strait of Hormuz as a pressure tool against Gulf countries, noting that the strait is an international waterway that must be protected and that any future threat to freedom of navigation should be met with a firm international response. Regarding regional developments, the Turkish foreign minister said that “Israel seeks to address crises through violence and expansion,” arguing that this policy is no longer merely a regional issue but has become a matter of global security.
