Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani travelled to Tehran on Thursday to discuss de‑escalation in the Strait of Hormuz.

Qatar's diplomatic push

Sheikh Mohammed, who also serves as Qatar's foreign minister, held talks with Iran's foreign minister Abbas Araghchi in the first high‑level Qatari visit to Tehran since the war began on 28 February.

The discussions focused on reducing tensions and creating conditions for renewed dialogue between Iran and the United States, according to Qatar's state news agency QNA. European refiners source a significant share of their crude through the Hormuz corridor, making any disruption a concern for fuel markets across the EU.

The two officials also examined a phased plan for the Strait, including a temporary shipping corridor and a joint project to clear mines from the waterway.

Sheikh Mohammed stressed the need to respect the sovereignty of neighbouring countries and freedom of navigation, calling for diplomatic efforts to resolve differences through dialogue.

Araghchi thanked Qatar for its mediation role and continued support for talks.

The visit comes nearly six months into the war, with direct fighting largely paused but no diplomatic breakthrough in sight.

Qatar, a United States ally that hosts the US military's Al Udeid Air Base and shares the world's largest gas field with Iran, has acted as a mediator between Washington and Tehran and helped broker the June ceasefire that briefly halted fighting.

Industry data show Qatar exported just 18 LNG cargoes over the past six months, a sharp drop from the 509 shipped in the same period a year earlier.

Implications for Europe

The Strait of Hormuz remains a key issue holding up a broader agreement between Iran and the United States. Before the war, about one‑fifth of global oil supplies passed through the narrow waterway each day.

Oil flows have fallen sharply, dropping to around five million barrels per day on Monday from roughly 20 million barrels per day before the conflict.

Shipping risks persist, with another tanker hit by an unidentified projectile in the strait this week; its crew was reported safe.

Qatar has repeatedly called for navigation to return to the situation that existed before 28 February, a stance echoed by EU officials who have urged all parties to keep the waterway open.

The issue is particularly important for Doha, which relies on the strait to export LNG to global markets.

Qatari officials say attacks on Ras Laffan cut production by 17%, with full recovery expected to take up to five years.

Iran and Oman have also been holding talks over a temporary shipping arrangement through the waterway.

The International Maritime Organisation has recorded dozens of incidents in the strait since the war began, adding to concerns over global energy supplies and shipping costs.

Diplomacy remains stalled

Thursday's talks also come as Washington steps up economic pressure on Tehran, announcing further sanctions targeting Iran's economic networks.

Regional governments have stepped up diplomatic efforts to prevent another round of fighting. Senior Pakistani officials travelled to Tehran earlier this week, while Oman has continued its own discussions with Iran over Hormuz and the wider dispute with Washington.

Qatar maintains that diplomacy remains the best way to resolve the crisis.