Qatar and Egypt have urged this Thursday to strengthen security and the free movement of ships in the Persian Gulf and the Red Sea, reiterating their support for efforts aimed at resolving tensions "through diplomatic means".
During the meeting held in the Egyptian city of El Alamein between the Qatari Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mohamed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, and the Egyptian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Badr Abdelatty, both governments have "emphasized their support for efforts aimed at resolving disputes through diplomatic means".
According to Qatar's diplomacy on social media, both parties have highlighted the relevance of "the integration of regional and international efforts to de-escalate tensions and prevail the language of dialogue".
Doha and Cairo have also stressed the importance of "ensuring the security, integrity, and freedom of maritime navigation, especially in the Arab Persian Gulf and the Red Sea", with the aim of "preserving the fluidity of international trade movement, strengthening the security of vital maritime routes, and achieving stability in the region".
In the subsequent appearance before the media, Al Thani denounced the "blackmail" linked to the blockade of strategic maritime routes for global trade. "The consequences of this war were severe, not only for the Gulf region but also for the rest of the world," he stated, insisting on the need for the situation to "return to how it was before".
"We condemn any threat in this regard and any obstacle," added the Qatari official, according to the television network Al Jazeera.
For his part, Abdelatty emphasized that "no country will be allowed to pose an obstacle to free navigation," particularly in the mentioned areas, including the Strait of Hormuz. "Threats to navigation constitute a direct threat to regional and international security," he concluded.
These statements come after U.S. President Donald Trump has opened a new phase in the standoff with Iran by announcing an "unprecedented" trade war against Tehran, a decision that, from the side of the Islamic Republic, is attributed to an "unprecedented" crisis within the United States and that "will only bring more defeats" to Washington.