Doha: Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, Qatar’s Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, said that his country will not support any Iranian plan to impose fees on ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz. He emphasized that no single country should have control over such a critical maritime route providing access to the world.
In an interview with a British newspaper, the Qatari Prime Minister stated that the hotline established between the United States and Iran plays a crucial role in restoring maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz. According to him, the system is intended to mitigate risks arising from misunderstandings, provocations, and unverified information.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani warned that some elements might attempt to sabotage agreements reached between the U.S. and Iran. He said that if any ship faces danger or threats, verification should be obtained directly from Iranian authorities to avoid misunderstandings.
The Qatari Prime Minister added that if Iran presents any formal model regarding fees for passage through the Strait of Hormuz, it must first clearly explain its position and rationale. Qatar and other relevant countries will then review the proposal.
He stressed that Qatar’s access to global markets heavily depends on the Strait of Hormuz, and therefore, no single country’s control over this critical waterway is acceptable.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani expressed hope that maritime activities in the Strait of Hormuz will return to pre-war levels within the next 30 days. He further stated that Qatar aims to fully restore liquefied natural gas production within a few weeks, which depends on the security and resumption of trade in the Strait of Hormuz.
Experts note that Qatar’s statement reflects the broader Gulf countries’ position that the Strait of Hormuz is an international waterway and its freedom and open use must be ensured.
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