Qatar has indicated it will not support any proposal to impose transit fees on vessels passing through the Strait of Hormuz, with Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani emphasizing the importance of maintaining free and secure access to one of the world’s most critical maritime routes.
In an interview with a British newspaper, Sheikh Mohammed said Qatar views the restoration of normal shipping activity in the Strait of Hormuz as a key priority for regional stability and global energy markets. He also highlighted the significance of the communication channel established between the United States and Iran, describing it as an important mechanism to prevent misunderstandings, misinformation, and potential escalations.
The Qatari prime minister warned that certain actors could attempt to undermine recent diplomatic progress in the region. He stressed that any threats directed at commercial vessels should be verified through official channels to avoid miscalculations that could heighten tensions.
Addressing reports of a possible Iranian proposal to charge ships for passing through the Strait of Hormuz, Sheikh Mohammed stated that Qatar would not automatically support such a measure. He said that if Iran formally presents a proposal, it would need to justify the plan and provide detailed arguments in its favor before regional stakeholders could evaluate it.
The prime minister underscored that Qatar’s access to global markets depends heavily on the Strait of Hormuz and that allowing any single country to exercise control over the route would not be acceptable. He reiterated the need to preserve freedom of navigation and ensure uninterrupted maritime trade.
Sheikh Mohammed expressed optimism that shipping activity in the strait could return close to pre-conflict levels within the next month if current efforts to reduce tensions continue.
He also revealed that Qatar plans to restore liquefied natural gas (LNG) production to normal levels within weeks. However, he noted that a full recovery in LNG operations remains dependent on stability and the normalization of conditions in and around the Strait of Hormuz.