Qatar warns closure of Hormuz and Bab al-Mandab could be catastrophic

Qatar's Foreign Ministry has held its weekly media briefing in Doha. Director of Media and Communication Ibrahim Al-Hashmi said the Emir met with the President of Guyana to discuss bilateral relations and investment, while the Foreign Minister held phone calls with his counterparts from Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait, the UAE, Jordan, Turkey and Austria, reiterating Qatar's support for diplomatic efforts aimed at reaching a comprehensive agreement and restoring regional peace and stability. Qatar condemned the targeting of a pipeline in western Saudi Arabia by drones launched from Iraq, expressing total solidarity with the Kingdom and support for measures to safeguard its sovereignty and installations. Qatar also condemned the unlawful entry by Israeli forces into Syria's borders as an utter violation of international law. On the stalled Oman meeting between Iran and GCC states, Al-Hashmi said he could not speak on behalf of the parties involved, but stressed that freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz is vital to Qatar and the world, and that Qatar is working with international and regional partners to build consensus and push dialogue forward. Responding to Al Jazeera's Zein Basravi on the conflict expanding to Bab al-Mandab, Al-Hashmi said, “Blocking the waterway and international water corridors cannot be the new normal. This cannot be acceptable either to Qatar or the international community.” He warned that the world is already suffering from the closure of the Strait of Hormuz and cannot afford to add Bab al-Mandab, which would be “catastrophic for the entire world”. On whether a hot war is outpacing diplomacy, he said, “You have to remain hopeful. You have to remain engaged. And you have to keep your channels open with everyone and introduce new and practical ideas.” He confirmed that mediation efforts are underway and will not stop, and that the regional crisis will be at the top of the Qatari delegation's agenda at the UN General Assembly. Subscribe to our channel: http://bit.ly/AJSubscribe Follow us on X: https://X.com/AJEnglish Find us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aljazeera Check our website: http://www.aljazeera.com/ Check out our Instagram page: https://www.instagram.com/aljazeeraenglish/ Download AJE Mobile App: https://aje.news/AJEMobile #Qatar #Yemen #Houthis #AnsarAllah #Taiz #Hodeidah #SaudiArabia #Jizan #Mocha #YemenWar #IranWar #HormuzCrisis #SaudiYemenTensions #USIranTensions #BabAlMandeb #HormuzCrisis