Qatar to unveil defense partnership as minister warns energy crisis has not peaked

Qatar is preparing to unveil a defense partnership, Deputy Prime Minister Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman Al Thani said, warning separately that the energy crisis had yet to reach its peak and that shipping uncertainty would push up consumer costs.

At Doha’s Global Security Forum, Sheikh Saoud said the planned partnership would strengthen Qatar’s ability to counter ballistic missiles, drones and cyberattacks, while addressing water security. The deputy prime minister, who also serves as minister of state for defense affairs, said lessons from the Iran war were informing Qatar’s defenses and joint planning with its neighbors.

A domestic hub for defense production would also be announced soon, he said. It would involve manufacturing locally or investing in defense companies, alongside a regional partner and allies including Britain, France and the United States.

Sheikh Saoud urged Iran to enter discussions with Pakistan, Turkey and the six Gulf Cooperation Council countries once Washington and Tehran reach a settlement. He said international allies should be consulted, while Qatar continued mediation efforts with Oman and Pakistan.

Closer economic ties could reduce the risk of renewed conflict, he argued, identifying a non-aggression agreement as one possible next step. He cited the major offshore gas field shared by Qatar and Iran as a reason for both countries to avoid disruption.

Sheikh Saoud cautioned that further energy difficulties lay ahead and opposed charging transit fees in the Strait of Hormuz. He also said instability across the region could affect investment flowing from Gulf countries to Europe.