Qatar Supports Mediation, Prepared For All Contingencies: Advisor To Prime Minister And Ministry Of Foreign Affairs Spokesperson

Doha: Advisor to the Prime Minister and Official Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Dr. Majed bin Mohammed Al Ansari reaffirmed that the State of Qatar's position regarding mediation has not changed, noting its full support for the ongoing mediation efforts led by the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, despite the State of Qatar not being directly involved due to its focus on self-defense amid escalating threats in the region and continued Iranian attacks.

Speaking during the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' weekly press briefing, Al Ansari said that the State of Qatar was prepared for all contingencies, adding that the country has previously overcome even greater challenges and that there was full confidence in the leadership to take all necessary measures to ensure the stability of its markets and economy.

He added that the State of Qatar strongly condemns all Iranian violations of national sovereignty in the region, noting that these attacks, which include targeting civilian infrastructure and energy facilities, represent a dangerous escalation that does not contribute to resolving the crisis but instead complicates it and introduces new challenges for the region.

He noted that the Qatari armed forces have dealt in recent days with Iranian attacks, including drones, affirming the country was fully ready to handle any potential scenarios and to respond to any escalation or further hostile actions.

The Advisor to the Prime Minister and Official Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs explained that Qatar's communications with various parties, including the United States and Iran, have focused on warning against the dangers of targeting infrastructure, noting that such attacks negatively affect the peoples of the region, the global economy, and energy markets, and yield no gains for any party involved in the conflict.

Regarding the Strait of Hormuz, he said that its closure constitutes a dangerous precedent and a clear violation of international law, and a direct threat to global security, supply chains, energy, and food.

He stressed that the strait was a shared natural waterway that cannot be used as a tool of political pressure, calling for its immediate and safe reopening and ensuring freedom of navigation without any threats.

On Qatari gas carriers, Al Ansari said that all countries in the region and many international partners were suffering due to the closure of the strait, emphasizing that the State of Qatar's priority in this regard was the safety of those working on these vessels and ensuring they were not exposed to danger in the absence of a clear mechanism for safe passage.

He added that the closure of the strait in this manner constituted not only a violation of international law but also a disruption of global supply chains, and a threat to global energy and food industries, stressing that this would not serve any party nor resolve any crisis.

Regarding calls for guarantees to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, Al Ansari emphasized that the decision to reopen it must be clear and not subject to political calculations, stressing that the countries of the region share this strait and no single party can claim exclusive control over it under any justification, whether through legal interpretations or the imposition of fees.

He added that the Strait of Hormuz was not like the Panama Canal or the Suez Canal, which were under the authority of specific states, but is a naturally open strait through which all ships and vessels pass, noting that there had never previously been a need for such measures, as ships had always passed through it normally.

Advisor to the Prime Minister and Official Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Dr. Majid bin Mohammed Al Ansari indicated that the Gulf and Arab states, along with friendly countries, were continuously coordinating with international partners regarding ongoing developments, including stances in the Security Council.

He stressed that any future agreement must be based on a comprehensive regional consensus, have international guarantees, and be based on respect for international law, with the involvement of all concerned and affected parties to the conflict in its formulation.

He pointed out that the current crisis was no longer just regional, but has become a global crisis affecting the international economy and global security and peace, which calls for intensifying international efforts to prevent further escalation, especially in light of the expiration of the deadline set by the US administration to reach an agreement with Iran before any further escalation.

He reiterated that the only solution to the crisis is through a political process and a return to the negotiating table, stressing Qatar's rejection of all forms of targeting civilians and vital facilities in any country, and renewing Qatar's call for de-escalation and the preservation of the region's security and stability.

Al Ansari indicated that the priorities of the State of Qatar are in line with the priorities of the countries of the region, especially reaching a sustainable political solution that takes into account the interests of the peoples of the region, avoiding partial solutions, and reaching a solution that establishes a new regional security system based on cooperation, consensus and international guarantees, in order to ensure the stability and security of the region in the long term.

He added that any solution must take into account the red lines that have been crossed during this war, including the threat to maritime navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, which cannot be part of any future solution, and no single party can have the ability to close this strait, or be allowed to continue to have this advantage in regional dealings, and no party can have the ability to threaten the other in this way without a clear deterrent.

He reiterated that any future agreement must include a clear regional role, stressing that this region must be managed first through the priorities of its countries, and then according to the priorities of global security and peace.

In a related context, the Advisor to the Prime Minister and Official Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs warned against attempts by the Israeli occupation to take advantage of the international community's preoccupation with this war to impose new realities and change the internationally agreed-upon status quo, especially about the Al Aqsa Mosque and the West Bank, as well as the implementation of the agreement in the Gaza Strip.

He said that these attempts are shameful and aim to circumvent international agreements and international law. They are also an attempt to impose a reality that will emerge from this war with historical transformations that will be negative towards the region.

Dr. Al Ansari added that the State of Qatar's stance on this matter was clear since day one, reflected in the series of statements condemning the occupation's practices, whether in the West Bank, toward Al Aqsa Mosque, or in the Gaza Strip, warning against exploiting the current situation and taking advantage of the preoccupation of all countries in the region with the war, in which Israel is a party, to impose a new reality.

Al Ansari concluded the media briefing by saying that whoever wants peace in the region must start with the option of peace, not with war, with the expectation that it will lead to peace.

This threat will be a threat to all countries in the region, including the Israeli people, who will be the first victims of the region's departure from the circle of international agreements.

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