Qatar Stresses Enduring Global Importance of the Strait of Hormuz Despite New Export Routes

Majed Al Ansari, adviser to the Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman, has stated that the Strait of Hormuz will remain an essential international trade artery, even as Gulf states accelerate efforts to develop alternative export routes. Speaking in an interview with The National on the sidelines of the Hili Forum in Abu Dhabi, Mr Al Ansari—who also serves as spokesman for Qatar's Foreign Ministry—emphasized that the waterway has connected international commerce for millennia and that no single event will alter its significance.

His comments come in response to US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who stated last week that Gulf states are fast-tracking overland pipelines to bypass the strait following severe disruptions amid the conflict between the US and Iran. Mr Bessent claimed that the shift to land transport could render the waterway largely obsolete within two years. However, Mr Al Ansari countered that the Gulf's economic importance extends well beyond oil to include critical commodities such as petrochemicals, fertilizers, and medical-grade helium. He noted that global shortages of products like urea are already impacting worldwide crop yields, making it impossible to envision a global economy that functions without the waterway.

The closure of the Strait of Hormuz—historically a conduit for a fifth of global energy supplies—has triggered soaring energy prices and a worldwide economic crisis. Iran's actions to block the passage remain a central hurdle in diplomatic negotiations between Washington and Tehran, which are being mediated by Qatar and Pakistan. While Tehran asserts that the strait belongs to Iran and Oman, Gulf states reject this stance.

Addressing the future of regional relations, Mr Al Ansari acknowledged that rebuilding trust with Iran will prove challenging following attacks on Gulf infrastructure, but insisted that neighboring nations must eventually find a way to coexist. He stressed that while Qatar aims to keep lines of communication open and retain deterrence capabilities, the primary responsibility for restoring good neighborly relations rests with Tehran. Meanwhile, ongoing diplomatic efforts and a 14-point memorandum of understanding brokered in mid-June have faced setbacks amid renewed military strikes and tightened US financial sanctions on Iranian entities, leaving regional leaders searching for a sustainable, negotiated resolution.