Qatar warns Iran war’s global energy shock has yet to peak
Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman Al Thani said further disruption to energy supplies, trade and economic growth could emerge from the US-Israel war with Iran.
The Lead
Qatar’s deputy prime minister warned on October 19 that the Iran war’s global energy effects had not peaked, putting consumers and energy importers at risk of further supply and trade disruption. (aljazeera.com)
Key Facts
- Sheikh Saoud has served as Qatar’s deputy prime minister and minister of state for defence affairs since November 2024. (gco.gov.qa)
- About 20.9 million barrels a day of oil passed through the Strait of Hormuz in the first half of 2025, according to the US Energy Information Administration. (eia.gov)
- QatarEnergy said March’s strikes damaged two LNG production trains, reducing its export capacity by 17 percent. Repairs were expected to take three to five years. (spglobal.com)
Article Body
Speaking at the Global Security Forum in Doha, Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman Al Thani said further repercussions could emerge “in the coming days and months.” He opposed transit fees for vessels using the Strait of Hormuz, arguing that additional uncertainty would ultimately raise costs for consumers. (aljazeera.com)
The warning follows Iranian strikes in March that damaged facilities at Qatar’s Ras Laffan industrial complex. QatarEnergy estimated that two LNG trains representing 12.8 million tonnes of annual capacity were affected, with markets in Europe and Asia exposed to the reduced supply. (spglobal.com)
Sheikh Saoud said Qatar had maintained communication with Tehran and supported mediation involving Qatar, Pakistan and Oman. He also said Doha planned to announce a regional defence partnership focused on air defence, counter-drone capabilities and cybersecurity, without identifying its participants. (aljazeera.com)
The next consequential question is whether diplomacy can restore predictable Hormuz shipping before renewed attacks deepen the supply losses.
What to Watch
The decisive signal will be whether regular oil and LNG traffic through the Strait of Hormuz stabilizes without new attacks or transit charges.
Sources & Notes
- Al Jazeera — Qatar warns global energy shockwaves from Iran war have yet to peak
- Government Communications Office of Qatar — Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Defence Affairs
- US Energy Information Administration — World Oil Transit Chokepoints
- S&P Global — QatarEnergy expects 3-5 years to repair LNG facilities after strikes