DOHA: Qatar has strongly condemned Iran’s reported attack on the Saudi-flagged tanker Sidr while it was transiting the Strait of Hormuz, saying the incident violated international law and the principle of freedom of navigation.
The Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the attack, which reportedly resulted in deaths among the tanker’s crew, also constituted a violation of UN Security Council Resolution 2817.
Doha categorically rejected the use of the Strait of Hormuz as a means of applying political or economic pressure and called for the vital waterway to be reopened without conditions.
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The ministry stressed that freedom of navigation through the strategic strait is an established principle that cannot be compromised, warning that its continued closure could threaten the interests of countries across the region as well as the wider global economy.
Qatar also called for an end to what it described as unjustified Iranian attacks against the property of neighboring countries. Doha expressed full solidarity with Saudi Arabia and backed measures taken by Riyadh to protect its vessels and property.
The latest development adds to growing concerns over the security of the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important energy corridors. Any prolonged disruption could have consequences well beyond the Gulf, potentially affecting global oil supplies, shipping costs and energy prices.
Qatar’s response also reflects the broader dilemma facing Gulf states: while they seek to avoid being drawn directly into the confrontation between Iran and its adversaries, disruption in the Strait of Hormuz carries immediate economic and security consequences for the entire region.
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The incident therefore raises the stakes beyond the fate of a single tanker. If commercial vessels increasingly face attacks or restrictions while passing through the strait, shipping companies could reassess routes and insurance risks, adding another layer of pressure to already volatile global energy markets.
For Qatar and other Gulf economies, keeping the waterway open is not simply a matter of maritime access. It is closely tied to regional economic stability and the uninterrupted movement of energy and goods through one of the world’s most strategically important maritime passages.