At the UN General Assembly on September 22, 2026, Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani warned that the Gulf is in "one of the most dangerous phases" and urged diplomatic measures to avert war. He positioned Qatar as a trusted mediator and called for reopening the Strait of Hormuz and creating a regional collective security system. The Emir condemned Israeli actions in the West Bank and Gaza—calling the Gaza situation "genocide"—and pledged support for Lebanon, Sudan, Libya and UN‑led efforts to secure Yemen’s unity and stability.
Qatar’s Emir Calls For Diplomacy As Gulf Faces 'One Of The Most Dangerous Phases' At UN
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]
Qatar’s Emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, told the United Nations General Assembly on September 22, 2026, that the Gulf is in "one of the most dangerous phases" amid what he described as a US‑Israeli campaign involving Iran, and urged diplomatic solutions to avert wider conflict.
Reaffirming Qatar’s role as a trusted mediator, Sheikh Tamim said diplomacy — including reopening the Strait of Hormuz to maritime navigation — is the best path to a durable, region‑wide security solution that explicitly includes Iran.
"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,"
The Emir said Qatar is doing "everything in our power to address the conflict in the region through diplomatic means," while remaining "steadfast" in defending its territory and sovereignty. He described the current confrontation with Iran as the "cumulative result of years" of postponed diplomacy and called for the creation of a regional system of collective security.
"In the absence of such a system, it has become possible for a war to erupt," Sheikh Tamim warned, stressing the risk of escalation across the Gulf and neighbouring states.
Turning to the Israeli‑Palestinian conflict, the Emir sharply criticised Israel’s actions in the occupied West Bank and Gaza, saying cross‑border attacks have extended to neighbouring countries and "affect the security of the region as a whole." He added:
"There can be no talk of a just international order as long as Palestine remains in its plight. What has transpired in Gaza is genocide in every sense of the word."
Sheikh Tamim also affirmed Qatar’s support for the sovereignty and stability of Lebanon, Sudan and Libya, and voiced backing for United Nations efforts to reach a comprehensive political settlement in Yemen that preserves the country’s unity and secures long‑term stability.
His speech underscored Qatar’s dual approach of active diplomacy and guarded defense as regional tensions mount and international attention focuses on preventing a larger conflagration.
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