A prominent Qatari royal and former prime minister has issued a grave warning about the escalating military confrontation between the US-Israel alliance and Iran, stating the coming days will be critical for regional stability. Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim Al Thani, commonly known as HBJ, expressed deep concerns through his official social media channel about the potential for prolonged conflict with devastating economic consequences.
The veteran statesman, who previously served as both Qatar’s prime minister and foreign minister, characterized the Gulf situation as ‘a war in every sense of the word.’ He highlighted the increasing complexity of the conflict following the involvement of Ansar Allah (Houthi) forces, noting they represent just one element in a multifaceted confrontation.
HBJ specifically warned about the dangerous possibility of a ‘suffocating blockade’ resulting from the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, which would trigger severe economic repercussions globally. He pointed to recent attacks on Qatar’s Ras Laffan LNG facility, which suffered extensive damage from missile strikes, knocking out 17% of the country’s liquefied natural gas export capacity. The damage resulted in an estimated $20 billion in annual lost revenue and will require three to five years for complete repairs.
The Qatari leader questioned who ultimately benefits from this regional collapse, acknowledging that while the United States isn’t the primary beneficiary, uncertainty remains about whether decision-making authority rests in Washington or Jerusalem. He emphasized the urgent need for tangible diplomatic outcomes to prevent further escalation, noting Qatar’s active but discreet mediation efforts alongside Pakistan’s emerging role as an unlikely intermediary between Washington and Tehran.
HBJ concluded with a sobering assessment that continued conflict would primarily benefit only a handful of states while the majority of regional players would endure significant economic losses, bringing his previously warned-about ‘prolonged war of attrition’ closer to reality.