Qatar minister voices concern over potential strikes on civilian facilities

Qatar’s Foreign Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani has expressed concern over Iranian attacks targeting civilian infrastructure, warning that such actions risk destabilizing regional economies and global markets. During a recent diplomatic discussion with Chinese counterpart Wang Yi, Al Thani emphasized that strikes on critical facilities—including water desalination plants, energy infrastructure, and transportation hubs— constitute a "dangerous precedent" with far-reaching consequences. The Qatari official reiterated that these attacks, which violate international norms, threaten the operational resilience of Gulf nations heavily reliant on desalination and energy exports.

A recent incident in Bahrain, where Iranian drones struck a water desalination facility, underscored these risks. While the Electricity and Water Authority confirmed no disruption to supplies, the attack highlighted vulnerabilities in infrastructure critical to Gulf economies. Al Thani called for an immediate cessation of escalatory actions and a return to diplomatic dialogue to mitigate economic and security fallout.

China’s Foreign Ministry, through Wang Yi, echoed calls for de-escalation, criticizing the "expansion of strikes" by the U.S. and Israel as contrary to UN principles. The remarks reflect growing international concern over the potential for regional conflicts to disrupt global energy markets and trade routes. With Gulf states accounting for nearly 5% of global oil exports, any prolonged instability could exacerbate inflationary pressures and commodity volatility.

Qatar’s stance aligns with its broader strategy of mediating tensions while safeguarding its economic interests. The country has reiterated its commitment to preserving regional stability, particularly as Gulf economies face heightened exposure to geopolitical shocks.