US-Israeli War on Iran Sparks Global Energy Consequences Warning
Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman Al Thani warned of global energy consequences from the US-Israel war on Iran, stating that shockwaves have yet to reach their peak.
Qatar's deputy prime minister has sounded a warning about the global energy consequences of the US-Israel war on Iran, stating that shockwaves have yet to reach their peak.
Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman Al Thani made this assertion at the Global Security Forum in Doha, where he also serves as Minister of State for Defence Affairs. He highlighted several threats facing Qatar and the wider Gulf region, including risks to sovereignty and disruptions to energy supplies.
Al Thani's remarks come amidst ongoing instability in the Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway for global oil and liquefied natural gas shipments. This area has been affected by the US-Israeli attacks on Iran in February 28, as well as Tehran's retaliatory strikes across the region.
The Iranian attack on Qatar's Ras Laffan industrial complex in March damaged facilities, with repairs expected to take several years.
Qatar has taken steps to protect its assets from potential attacks, drawing lessons from past strikes that damaged facilities in Ras Laffan industrial complex last March. The repairs are expected to take several years to complete.
Al Thani warned against imposing tolls on ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz, saying transit fees would only create uncertainty and ultimately affect consumers worldwide. This move is seen as a precautionary measure to avoid exacerbating tensions in the region.
Qatar's Deputy Prime Minister has underscored the importance of finding ways to coexist with its neighbour Iran, amid ongoing tensions in the region.
In a statement, Al Thani noted that Qatar's longstanding defence partnership with Washington has been instrumental in preventing attacks on the country, citing that more than 90 percent of threats have been successfully repelled through shared expertise and military capabilities developed over the past three to four decades.
The development of Al Udeid airbase, which hosts US forces and personnel from other partner countries, is also continuing apace. The base itself was targeted by Iran during the conflict, with Qatar reporting that it had shot down two Iranian warplanes in early March.
Qatar is prioritising several aspects for its new regional defence partnership, including air defence, counter-drone measures and cybersecurity.
Facts based on reporting originally published by Al Jazeera.
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