The Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Qatar, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, has warned Iran against using the Strait of Hormuz as a means of pressure against Gulf countries.
During a press conference in Doha with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, Al Thani stated that “Iran should not use this strait as a weapon to exert pressure or to blackmail Gulf countries.”
He emphasized that the Strait of Hormuz is an international water corridor of global strategic importance and must always remain protected and open for navigation.
“This current situation in the strait and what is happening there must never be repeated,” Al Thani said.
On the other hand, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan supported the statements of his Qatari counterpart, stressing the importance of maintaining freedom of navigation in one of the world’s most critical routes for global oil and gas supply.
“Preventing the use of the Strait of Hormuz as a weapon is extremely important not only for regional security and stability, but also for the global economy,” he said.
Qatar and Turkey have also expressed support for Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts to mediate a ceasefire between the United States and Iran, as tensions in the region continue to remain high.
“Qatar and Turkey support the efforts undertaken by Pakistan to reach a ceasefire agreement, to end the war as soon as possible, to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and to restore freedom of navigation to normality,” Al Thani stated.
