Qatar’s emir urges diplomacy as Gulf at ‘one of the most dangerous phases’

Sheikh Tamim says years of delayed diplomacy led to the US-Israel war on Iran.

The Gulf is experiencing “one of the most dangerous phases” due to the US-Israel war on Iran that “can be resolved through diplomatic means”, Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani has said at the United Nations General Assembly.

Reaffirming Qatar’s role as a “trusted mediator”, Sheikh Tamim said on Tuesday that diplomacy would lead to a lasting solution ensuring security for the entire region, including Iran.

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“We remain convinced that the crisis in the Gulf can be resolved through diplomatic means, through reopening the Strait of Hormuz to maritime navigation, in order to avert war,” Sheikh Tamim said, in translated remarks.

Qatar is doing “everything in our power to address the conflict in the region through diplomatic means” but remains “steadfast” in defending its territory and sovereignty, he said.

Shortly after Sheikh Tamim’s address, United States President Donald Trump said officials held a “very good” three-hour meeting with the Iranian delegation. Prior to the meeting, Trump repeated threats to “annihilate” Iran in his UN speech.

Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani addresses the United Nations General Assembly at UN headquarters in New York City, September 22, 2026 [Brendan McDermin/Reuters]

Sheikh Tamim said the war on Iran was the “cumulative result of years” of postponing diplomatic resolutions and called for a “regional system of collective security”.

“In the absence of such a system, it has become possible for a war to erupt,” he said.

Sheikh Tamim slammed Israel for its “aggression” in the occupied West Bank and Gaza, saying attacks have expanded to neighbouring countries, “affecting the security of the region as a whole”.

“There can be no talk of a just international order as long as Palestine remains in its plight,” he said. “What has transpired in Gaza is genocide in every sense of the word.”

Sheikh Tamim expressed Qatar’s support for Lebanon, Sudan and Libya, calling for state sovereignty.

“We support United Nations efforts aimed at reaching a comprehensive political settlement based on the outcomes of the national dialogue facilitated by the United Nations, in a manner that preserves Yemen’s unity and sovereignty and achieves security and stability,” he said.

Threatening lifelines

The speech comes as the nearly seven-month-old war increasingly threatens the Gulf’s economic lifelines, with the US and Iran trading strikes on oil tankers and other vessels in the Strait of Hormuz.

In September, Saudi Arabia shuttered the key East-West oil pipeline after it was struck by drones launched from Iraq.

Meanwhile, a new spell of fighting has broken out in Yemen, following territorial advances by the Houthi rebel group towards the critical Bab el-Mandeb strait.

The war began after the US and Israel launched strikes against Iran on February 28 amid negotiations on Iran’s nuclear programme, killing its supreme leader, other top officials and dozens of civilians.

Iran responded by launching strikes across the Gulf region, including the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman and Bahrain.