Qatar PM calls US-Israel war on Iran fallout an earthquake, urges sovereignty

September 21, 2026 at 01:13 AM2 min

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Qatar's Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani described the economic fallout from the US-Israel war on Iran as an earthquake with shock waves reaching beyond the Middle East. He called for a framework in which sovereignty is respected and no state poses a threat to another. Qatar pledged more than $38 billion in domestic infrastructure spending over the next five years.

Key Facts

Qatar's Prime Minister pledged more than $38 billion in domestic infrastructure spending over the next five years.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani spoke on Sunday at the Qatar Economic Forum event in New York City.
Gulf leaders are scheduled to meet US President Donald Trump on Tuesday during the UN General Assembly.
Qatar's Foreign Ministry spokesman Majed Al-Ansari said mediation efforts are ongoing to restart talks between Tehran and Washington.

Regional Security Framework

Sheikh Mohammed called on states to respect sovereignty as a condition for security in the Middle East. He warned against cycles of escalation after the earthquake caused by the US-Israeli war on Iran. The region needs a framework in which sovereignty is respected and no state can pose a threat to another, he said. Permanent security cannot be built through arrangements that leave any state permanently exposed to insecurity, Sheikh Mohammed said.

Economic Impact and Investment

Sheikh Mohammed described the economic fallout from the war as an earthquake with shock waves reaching far beyond the Middle East. During the crisis, almost every conversation began with security and de-escalation, then turned to energy supplies, shipping routes, and investment plans, he said. Qatar has weathered the test to the foundations of its economy and security, but the ongoing conflict is having an impact, he acknowledged. The Prime Minister outlined a domestic shift in investment strategy by pledging more than $38 billion in spending on Qatari infrastructure over the next five years.

UN General Assembly Diplomacy

Al Jazeera's Kristen Saloomey reported from New York that the message will likely be repeated when Gulf leaders meet US President Donald Trump on Tuesday. The UN General Assembly starts on Monday and ends on Friday, with the Middle East situation expected to be high on the agenda. Qatar's Foreign Ministry spokesman Majed Al-Ansari told US media in New York that mediation efforts are ongoing to restart talks between Tehran and Washington to end the war.