DOHA: Qatar and Türkiye on Tuesday voiced strong support for Pakistan’s mediation efforts to secure a ceasefire in the ongoing US–Israel–Iran conflict and to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a vital artery for global energy flows.
At a joint press conference in Doha, Qatar’s Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani and Türkiye’s Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan underscored the urgency of ending hostilities and restoring freedom of navigation in the Gulf.
“Qatar and Türkiye jointly support the Pakistani mediation efforts aimed at reaching a ceasefire agreement, bringing this war to an end as swiftly as possible, and reopening the Strait of Hormuz to restore the normal flow of maritime navigation,” Sheikh Mohammed declared.
It is important to mention here that the remarks come against the backdrop of a conflict that erupted on February 28, 2026, when US and Israeli strikes on Iran killed Supreme leader Ayatollah Khamanei and triggered Tehran’s closure of the Strait of Hormuz. The waterway, which normally handles about one-fifth of the world’s oil trade, has since seen tanker traffic plunge by more than 90 percent, leaving vessels stranded and driving oil prices above $100 a barrel at times. Maritime seizures, blockades, and counter-blockades have further deepened the crisis.
Since then, Pakistan has played a central role in shuttle diplomacy, relaying messages between Washington and Tehran and pressing for extensions to fragile ceasefires. Talks have touched on nuclear concerns, guarantees against future attacks, and the reopening of Hormuz. While a temporary truce was arranged in April, risks of renewed escalation remain high.
Middle East observers believe that Qatar and Türkiye’s joint statement has actually warned against fresh military escalation and stressed that diplomacy must prevail. Sheikh Mohammed rejected any attempt to use Hormuz “to pressure or blackmail” Gulf states, insisting it is an international waterway that must remain open. Both leaders emphasized that freedom of navigation is a principle that cannot be compromised.
The alignment of Doha and Ankara with Islamabad highlights a broader push within the region to stabilize energy markets and prevent further economic fallout. Qatar, long a host of mediation efforts, and Türkiye, active in Gulf and Muslim-world diplomacy, both have strategic stakes in regional stability and energy security.
The reopening of Hormuz, analysts say, is seen as critical not only for restoring global oil and gas flows but also for signaling a shift from confrontation to negotiation in one of the world’s most volatile flashpoints,and so the joint support from Qatar and Türkiye adds weight to Pakistan’s mediation, though the path to a lasting settlement remains fraught with uncertainty.
