Qatar has urged Iran to reconsider threats to target internet cables in the Strait of Hormuz, warning that disruptions to telecommunications, maritime navigation and international trade would carry far-reaching consequences for the region and the global economy.Ibrahim bin Sultan al-Hashimi, director of the Media and Communication Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA), called on Tehran to carefully assess who would bear the greatest cost if communications were disrupted or maritime traffic through the strategic waterway was affected.Speaking during MoFA's weekly media briefing, al-Hashimi stressed that Qatar’s mediation efforts to resolve the crisis between the United States and Iran remain ongoing, with diplomatic contacts, visits, and exchanges of messages continuing despite the difficulties involved in the negotiations.He said Doha, as a mediator, was working tirelessly to secure an immediate and sustainable resolution through dialogue and negotiations, stressing that diplomatic efforts had not stopped and that the exchange of messages between the parties remained active.“The priority is to bring the parties closer together and encourage Washington and Tehran to reach a settlement that safeguards regional stability,” al-Hashimi said.He also reiterated that the crisis would not be resolved through military means, warning that prolonging the confrontation would raise costs for the Middle East and the wider world. Continued escalation could have serious repercussions for the global economy and energy supplies at a time when de-escalation and a return to diplomacy are increasingly urgent. However, he said Qatar hopes to achieve a solution soon and that Doha will continue working relentlessly with all parties involved.Al-Hashimi further stressed that the security of the waters of the Strait of Hormuz is inseparable from the broader security of the region. Gulf countries depend heavily on their surrounding waters for seawater desalination, maritime transport, fisheries and the protection of marine resources. Any attack targeting the strait would eventually pose a direct threat to the interests and well-being of the region’s populations. He placed responsibility on Iran to help safeguard the waters and comply with international laws governing freedom of navigation and the protection of the marine environment.Besides, he pointed out that the US is geographically far removed from the Strait, while Israel does not rely on the waters of the Gulf, and that the greatest damage would be borne by the countries of the region, including Iran itself. Al-Hashimi called for an end to attacks on vessels and warned against incidents involving naval mines and oil spills, stressing that the resulting environmental and economic damage could extend far beyond the borders of the country responsible. He said such actions must stop immediately, and the Strait of Hormuz must reopen to ensure the safety and continuity of maritime traffic.He warned that a prolonged shipping crisis would heighten regional risks and compound the economic consequences of the wider confrontation. Commenting on the visit of the French President Emmanuel Macron to Qatar, he said, the visit reflects the depth of relations between the two countries and represents a natural continuation of efforts to strengthen and build on these ties. He noted that France has taken commendable positions, both during the current crisis and on other occasions, and has long been a friend and ally of Qatar.He explained that Qatari-French talks, followed by the two sides' strategic dialogue, offer an opportunity to strengthen bilateral relations further and expand co-operation across various fields, including energy, the economy, investment, and defence. He also highlighted the longstanding, distinguished relations and fruitful co-operation between the two countries.Regarding diversifying partnerships and developing defence capabilities, he said, it is natural for Qatar to diversify its partnerships and continue building its defence capabilities, stressing that this does not in any way conflict with Qatar’s role as a mediator, nor is it linked solely to the current crisis. “It is natural for all countries in the region to be capable of deterrence and self-defence, while developing their capabilities and diversifying their allies and strategic partnerships in the field of defence,” he added.
