Qatar Demands International Guarantees for Strait of Hormuz Navigation Amid Iranian Transit Fee Proposals

Qatar warns that unilateral transit fees in the Strait of Hormuz violate international law and urges international guarantees to secure global energy supplies.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 7, 2026, 10:01 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from AA (Anadolu Agency)

Doha Advocates for International Safeguards in Strategic Waterway

Qatar issued a firm diplomatic stance on Tuesday regarding the volatility in the Strait of Hormuz, asserting that any future agreement to stabilize the passage must be backed by robust international guarantees. Foreign Ministry spokesman Majed Al-Ansari clarified during a press briefing that the waterway should never be utilized as a pressure tool in geopolitical disputes. According to Al-Ansari, the strategic importance of the strait to global trade necessitates a framework that prevents it from being held hostage by any single nation's military or political agenda.

Opposition to Unilateral Transit Fees and Market Disruption

The Qatari government addressed recent legislative movements in Tehran, specifically opposing any attempt to impose unilateral transit fees on vessels navigating the strait. Al-Ansari noted that such financial measures must only be established through a broad regional consensus rather than individual enforcement. This response follows the March 31 approval of draft legislation by Iran’s National Security Committee intended to levy charges on transiting ships, a move Qatar views as a violation of international law that could further destabilize global energy and food supply chains.

Regional Security Concerns Amid Looming US Deadline

Heightened anxiety in Doha reflects the broader international concern over a looming deadline set by US President Donald Trump. The American administration has threatened to target Iranian infrastructure, including power stations and bridges, if an agreement to reopen the strait is not reached by Tuesday night. Qatar is closely monitoring these intensified efforts to address the crisis, acknowledging the extreme risk of escalation as the window for a diplomatic resolution narrows under the threat of expanded military action.