Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the Emir of Qatar, emphasized the need to address the challenges facing his country in his annual speech to the Qatari Shura Council. He discussed the damages caused by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, particularly on Qatar's liquefied natural gas exports.
Damages Caused by the Closure of the Strait of Hormuz
The Emir of Qatar stated in this speech: "The closure of the Strait of Hormuz and the damage in Ras Laffan have halted a significant portion of Qatar's exports." He also reminded that Qatar, supplying about one-fifth of the world's liquefied natural gas trade, means that any harm to this sector severely impacts markets and consumers.
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Qatar's Role in Global Energy Security
Tamim bin Hamad asserted that in this crisis, Qatar has taken on the responsibility of protecting its sovereignty while also playing its role in global energy and economic security. He referred to Doha's efforts in ceasefire and reopening waterways, emphasizing that the security of the Gulf Cooperation Council countries is non-negotiable.
The Emir of Qatar also addressed his country's economic situation, stating that Qatar's economy has resisted the current crisis and is projected to have a high growth rate in 2025. He attributed this situation to previous policies adopted in Qatar that have allowed the country to manage the consequences of the crisis effectively.
He continued: "Qatar will not emerge from this crisis without greater flexibility and adaptability to global changes." He also referred to the alarming situation in Gaza, calling it genocide.
Currently, Qatar's liquefied gas exports have been severely damaged, and it is predicted that export volumes will fall to about 0.6 million tons by October 2026. This is while Qatar's exports reached 1.6 million tons last September, the highest figure since the war began. Additionally, in recent months, Qatar's gas exports have decreased to less than 2 million tons, showing a decline of over 90% compared to last year.
The main cause of this situation was the impact of Iranian missiles on the Ras Laffan complex on March 18, 2026, which damaged two LNG production lines. This damage will cost Qatar about $20 billion annually, equivalent to more than one-third of Qatar's annual government revenues, and repairs will take between three to five years.
Moreover, the closure of the Strait of Hormuz and security threats against ships have restricted the passage of Qatar's LNG shipments through this strategic waterway. However, since late September and early October, some Qatari oil tankers have managed to pass through the Strait of Hormuz, but export volumes have not yet returned to pre-war levels.
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