‘Maritime routes must not be held hostage to political blackmail’: Qatar

ALAMEIN – 20 August 2026: Qatar said freedom of navigation must be guaranteed without any state having to make efforts to secure it, stressing that maritime routes “must not be held hostage to political blackmail.”

Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani made the remarks during a joint press conference with Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty in Alamein on Thursday.

 

Sheikh Mohammed said Qatar is working with its Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and regional partners to find alternative diplomatic channels with Iran to restore navigation to its normal course.

He expressed hope that this would be a positive step toward fully defusing the crisis, calling on Iran to assume its responsibilities, respond to regional efforts and consider the damage caused to countries in the region by the current situation.

The Egyptian and Qatari foreign ministers stressed the importance of ensuring the security, safety and freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz in accordance with international law, according to a statement by Egypt’s Cabinet.

They called for avoiding measures that could disrupt international shipping and trade amid their direct repercussions on energy security, supply chains and the global economy.

 

During the press conference, Abdelatty underscored the freedom of navigation, stating that “no state, regardless of who it is, can be allowed to disrupt international navigation.”

He also stressed rejection of any attempts to undermine freedom and security of navigation in the Gulf.

Abdelatty affirmed that the security of Qatar and the brotherly Gulf states is an integral part of Egypt’s national security and collective Arab national security. He also reaffirmed Egypt’s full solidarity with them in confronting any attacks targeting Qatar and the region.