Qatar supplies around one-fifth of global liquefied natural gas trade, Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani said Tuesday, warning that any disruption affecting the country quickly reverberates across international markets and consumers.
“Qatar supplies around one-fifth of global LNG trade, and anything that affects it is quickly reflected in markets and consumers everywhere,” the emir told the Shura Council.
He said Qatar had shouldered three responsibilities during the current regional crisis: protecting its sovereignty, fulfilling its role in global energy and economic security, and keeping diplomatic channels open.
He said Qatar’s strategy rested on four elements: firmly defending the country without being drawn into war; maintaining public services, supply chains and economic activity; contributing to efforts to secure a ceasefire and reopen waterways; and encouraging negotiations to seek peaceful solutions.
He said the closure of the Strait of Hormuz and direct damage to some energy facilities in the Ras Laffan Industrial City had disrupted a significant portion of Qatar’s exports, though the economic impact had been concentrated mainly in the energy sector.
QatarEnergy halted LNG production in early March after drone attacks struck energy facilities in Mesaieed and Ras Laffan, the world’s largest LNG export hub. Qatar’s Defense Ministry said two drones originating from Iran targeted the facilities.
Sheikh Tamim said work on expanding Qatar’s North Field gas development was continuing according to plans to increase the country’s LNG production capacity.
He also said the Golden Pass LNG project in the US had made significant progress, while QatarEnergy continued expanding its investments and international partnerships.
Diplomacy
The emir said Qatar had been attacked by Iran in a violation of its sovereignty and international law, adding that Qatari armed forces and security agencies had carried out their duty to defend the country.
He stressed that Doha’s commitment to dialogue and peaceful solutions did not mean compromising on national defense
“Our right to defend our sovereignty does not conflict with our keenness to prevent the war from expanding,” he said.
Sheikh Tamim said Qatar had consistently favored resolving disputes through dialogue, negotiation and diplomacy, arguing that recent developments had again demonstrated the interconnected nature of regional and global security.
He also called for continued cooperation and coordination among Gulf Cooperation Council states, saying the security, sovereignty and stability of GCC countries could not be compromised.
The emir called for greater efforts to secure navigation in the Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz and protect energy, water and civilian infrastructure.
“We will continue working with our brothers and our international and regional partners to keep our region stable and secure,” he added
The Strait of Hormuz, through which much of the Gulf’s oil and LNG exports pass, remains a major focus of international diplomacy amid continuing disruptions to maritime traffic and energy flows amid the current conflict between Iran and the US.
Tehran has threatened to target vessels using routes other than those designated by Iranian authorities or attempting to cross the waterway without permission.
The US and Israel launched a war against Iran on Feb. 28. Tehran responded with missile and drone attacks across the region and effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz, while Washington later imposed a naval blockade on Iranian ports.
The US and Iran subsequently signed a memorandum of understanding in June concerning freedom of navigation in the strait, but implementation stalled over disagreements related to security in the strategic waterway.