Qatar’s emir urges diplomacy as Gulf faces ‘dangerous phase’ amid Iran war

At the United Nations General Assembly, Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani warned that the Gulf is facing “one of the most dangerous phases” because of the ongoing US-Israel war on Iran and urged that the crisis be resolved through diplomacy. He said years of delayed diplomatic engagement contributed to the current conflict and called for establishment of a regional collective-security system to prevent future eruptions of war.

Sheikh Tamim framed Qatar as a “trusted mediator” and said Doha is working to address the regional conflict by diplomatic means while remaining prepared to defend its territory and sovereignty. He specifically urged reopening the Strait of Hormuz to maritime navigation as part of efforts to avert wider war and protect economic lifelines.

In his speech the emir sharply criticized Israel’s actions in the occupied West Bank and Gaza, asserting that attacks have spread to neighbouring countries and that Gaza has suffered “genocide in every sense of the word.” He also voiced support for sovereignty in Lebanon, Sudan, Libya and for UN-led efforts to secure a political resolution that preserves Yemen’s unity.

Sheikh Tamim’s remarks came shortly before US President Donald Trump reported a “very good” three-hour meeting with an Iranian delegation; Trump had earlier repeated threats to “annihilate” Iran during his UN remarks. The war began on February 28 when US and Israeli strikes on Iran killed the country’s supreme leader and other officials, after which Iran launched strikes across the Gulf, including on the UAE, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman and Bahrain. The conflict has coincided with attacks on shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, the closure by Saudi Arabia of its East-West oil pipeline after a drone strike, and renewed fighting in Yemen near the Bab el-Mandeb strait.