Qatar has warned that the global energy crisis triggered by the ongoing US-Israel war against Iran could worsen in the coming days and months, raising concerns about further disruptions to energy supplies, international trade and global economic growth.
Qatar’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Defence Affairs, Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, issued the warning on Monday while speaking at the Global Security Forum in Doha.
He said the world had yet to experience the full impact of the conflict on energy markets and warned that additional economic consequences were likely.
“We haven’t reached the peak with respect to energy,” Al Thani said, highlighting the potential for further disruptions in the coming months.
The warning comes amid continued instability in the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic waterway through which significant volumes of the world's oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG) supplies are transported.
The conflict began on February 28, 2026, following US-Israeli attacks on Iran, which subsequently launched retaliatory strikes across the region.
Qatar has also suffered damage to its energy infrastructure. Iranian strikes on the Ras Laffan industrial complex in March damaged facilities, with repairs expected to take several years.
Al Thani said Qatar was surprised by the attack but had since engaged in extensive discussions with Iran. He added that the country was reviewing its security measures to protect critical infrastructure against future attacks.
The Qatari deputy prime minister also rejected proposals to impose transit fees on vessels passing through the Strait of Hormuz, warning that such charges could increase uncertainty and ultimately affect consumers worldwide.
Qatar Maintains Communication With Iran
Despite the conflict, Al Thani said Qatar had maintained communication with Tehran at various levels, even as disagreements between the two countries continued.
He noted that Qatar and Iran had previously enjoyed a relationship built on trust and shared economic interests, including a major offshore gasfield.
Al Thani expressed hope that mediation efforts involving Qatar, Pakistan and Oman would help secure an agreement between the United States, Iran and other parties, including Israel.
He stressed that any lasting settlement would require broader regional dialogue involving Gulf Cooperation Council members, Pakistan and Türkiye, alongside international partners.
According to him, strengthening economic cooperation with Iran could also help prevent future conflicts. He cited the post-war relationship between France and Germany as an example of how former adversaries could build lasting cooperation.
“Iran is our neighbour. We need to find ways to live with them,” he said.
Qatar Strengthens Defence Cooperation With US
Al Thani also reaffirmed Qatar’s longstanding defence partnership with the United States, saying joint military expertise and capabilities developed over the past three to four decades had helped prevent more than 90 per cent of attacks.
He said Qatar was continuing to develop Al Udeid Air Base, which hosts US forces and military personnel from other partner countries.
The base was targeted by Iran during the conflict, while Qatar reported shooting down two Iranian warplanes during an attack in early March.
The deputy prime minister also announced that Qatar was preparing to establish a new regional defence partnership, with priorities including air defence, counter-drone capabilities and cybersecurity.
However, he did not disclose the countries expected to participate in the proposed arrangement.
Al Thani emphasised that Qatar's efforts to mediate the conflict would not prevent it from taking necessary measures to defend its territory.
He said diplomacy and mediation must go hand in hand with preparedness for possible security threats.
The remarks underscore Qatar's efforts to balance diplomatic engagement with Iran, close defence ties with Washington and the protection of its strategic energy infrastructure as the regional conflict continues.
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