Arabic version: انتقادات رئيس وزراء قطر السابق لاستراتيجية نتنياهو في صراع إيران
Former Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim Al Thani has asserted that the ongoing conflict involving the United States and Israel against Iran is not the result of a sudden escalation but the culmination of a long-term Israeli agenda orchestrated by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. In an interview with Al Jazeera, Sheikh Hamad emphasized the implications of this war for the Middle East’s future, particularly highlighting the crisis in the Strait of Hormuz as a significant concern. According to Al Jazeera, he warned that the geopolitical shifts occurring now will have lasting effects in the region.
Sheikh Hamad criticized Netanyahu’s ambitions for a “Greater Israel,” suggesting that the Israeli leader is exploiting the chaos of war to promote forced regional alliances. He argued that Netanyahu has convinced the U.S. that a war against Iran would be short and swift, drawing parallels to past U.S. military interventions that did not yield the anticipated results.
The former prime minister pointed out that the true danger lies not only in Iran’s military capabilities but also in its control over the Strait of Hormuz, a vital waterway for global trade. He noted that Iran’s strategy has shifted to viewing this area as sovereign territory, which could pose a greater threat than its nuclear ambitions. Sheikh Hamad called for the Gulf states to unite in a defense pact to address these challenges collectively.
In discussing the broader regional dynamics, Sheikh Hamad also addressed the situation in Gaza, condemning the high civilian casualties and accusing Israel of committing a “moral and political disaster”. He urged for a clear political path for Palestinian independence, rejecting any disarmament of Hamas without such guarantees. He praised Saudi Arabia’s position on normalizing relations with Israel, emphasizing the need for a strategic framework for peace. Sheikh Hamad concluded by advocating for a collaborative approach among Gulf nations to ensure stability and security in the region.
