Qatari Defense Minister: Doha Continues to Enhance Defense Capabilities Alongside Reinforcing Mediation and Dialogue Approach

Sheikh Saud bin Abdulrahman bin Hassan Al Thani, Qatar’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Defense Affairs, affirmed that Qatar continues to bolster its defense capabilities while remaining committed to a policy of mediation and regional dialogue. He emphasized that the security of the Gulf region constitutes a fundamental pillar for global economic stability and international supply chains.

Speaking during a panel session held on the first day of the eighth edition of the Global Security Forum, currently hosted in Doha, he noted that Qatar faced three major challenges in the recent past: attacks on its territory, disruptions in energy supplies, and the repercussions of regional conflicts spilling over into the area, according to the Qatar News Agency (QNA).

He pointed out that any disruption in energy supplies from the Gulf region has ripple effects extending from energy markets to global supply chains, international investments, and the aid provided by Gulf states to various parts of the world. He stressed that regional stability directly impacts the global economy.

Qatar has worked since the onset of the recent crisis to protect its assets and enhance its defense readiness in cooperation with its allies, he said, adding that the country has demonstrated its ability to defend itself. Furthermore, Gulf states possess accumulated experience in overcoming and emerging from crises by diversifying their economies and strengthening their international partnerships.

Regarding security challenges, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Defense Affairs explained that Qatar has reviewed its defense strategy and identified three priority areas: air defense, counter-drone operations, and electronic warfare, including cybersecurity. These efforts are accompanied by continued capacity building in these fields in collaboration with regional and international partners.

He revealed that Qatar will soon announce a new partnership with regional partners to launch an initiative aimed at building capabilities in these areas. Additionally, the country will announce the establishment of a defense industries center in Qatar, as part of a strategy targeting the enhancement of national capabilities.

He affirmed that Al Udeid Air Base continues to play a strategic role, noting that its development is ongoing to meet the needs of the Qatar Armed Forces. The base hosts, alongside U.S. forces, representatives from more than twenty countries, reflecting the nature of the defense partnerships Qatar maintains.

On the issue of mediation policy, Sheikh Saud bin Abdulrahman bin Hassan Al Thani stressed that mediation and defense are complementary paths. He clarified that Qatar’s mediation efforts aim to prevent conflicts from erupting and do not conflict with the necessity of maintaining the country’s readiness to defend its security and sovereignty.

He noted that mediation requires patience and determination, citing the negotiations between the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda, which took several years before yielding tangible results. He affirmed that Qatar has proven its ability to continue mediation efforts on multiple files in cooperation with its partners.

Regarding relations with Iran, he stated, “Achieving sustainable peace requires launching a comprehensive regional dialogue involving the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, along with Pakistan and Turkey, in consultation with international partners. This process should be based on trust, non-aggression, and addressing mutual security concerns.”

He added that the historical experience of building economic relations between Germany and France after decades of conflict offers a model that can be utilized to build economic bridges that help prevent future conflicts. He emphasized that Iran remains a neighboring country and that the region needs to establish mechanisms to prevent the recurrence of conflicts.

He affirmed that Qatar rejects the imposition of transit fees in the Strait of Hormuz, a stance consistent with the provisions of international law, emphasizing that any uncertainty in the strait negatively impacts energy markets and the global economy.

He clarified that Qatar continues to maintain diplomatic communication channels with Iran despite differences between the two sides, stressing that dialogue has not been interrupted and that the country hopes existing understandings will help build trust and avoid the recurrence of tensions.

Sheikh Saud bin Abdulrahman bin Hassan Al Thani, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Defense Affairs, affirmed at the conclusion of the dialogue session that Qatar will continue to maintain its defense readiness in cooperation with its partners, while simultaneously adhering to the approach of dialogue and mediation as the optimal means to transition from conflicts to building economic relations that enhance security and stability in the region.