Qatar warns of unbearable impact of war between Iran and US — Euronews

Qatar said in Doha that a war between Iran and the United States is placing an unbearable burden on the global economy, while contacts over a possible agreement between Washington and Tehran are continuing. Qatari Foreign Ministry spokesperson Majed al-Ansari said that Doha had resumed mediation and was relaying messages between the sides, Euronews reports.

Qatar’s mediation

According to al-Ansari, meetings have taken place in recent days, although he did not specify how far the sides had progressed toward concluding an agreement. The spokesperson said Qatar is trying to overcome difficulties and narrow differences between Washington and Tehran.

Al-Ansari said that Qatar continues to seek a peaceful settlement, although, according to him, the country has suffered missile strikes by Iran. He also said that the Gulf states, Iraq and Jordan did not choose to take part in the war between Iran and the United States and have no separate conflict with Tehran. The spokesperson called on Iran to guarantee non-aggression against neighboring states that did not join the war.

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Shipping through the Strait of Hormuz

Doha named the restoration of free shipping through the Strait of Hormuz as one of the tasks of its mediation. According to the outlet, the war, which began after joint US and Israeli strikes on Iran in late February, has significantly disrupted transportation through this waterway, which is vital for exports by Gulf countries.

Al-Ansari stressed that countries in the region export not only oil and gas, but also urea, ammonia, helium, petrochemical products and aluminium. He pointed to the consequences of disruptions for crop yields in vulnerable countries and to increased coal burning in states that had previously reduced its use. In his assessment, the economic burden may intensify as winter approaches.

In the view of the Qatari Foreign Ministry spokesperson, a lasting settlement will also require regional security arrangements based on coexistence and mutual non-aggression.