Dr. Yasir Mahgoub Elhussein
Amid rising tensions between Iran and Israel, fears are mounting that the region could spiral into a broader conflict—one that may thrust the Gulf, and indeed the world, to the brink of an unprecedented crisis. Yet in the eye of this potential storm, there are signals of reassurance that must not be overlooked. Chief among them is the presence of nations that have long embodied political wisdom, calm judgement, and effective tools of rational diplomacy—foremost among them, the State of Qatar.
What we are witnessing today is not a confrontation born of the moment. The Iran-Israel rivalry is deeply rooted in decades of strategic friction. Still, this moment is not an irreversible fate. History is replete with flashpoints that were ultimately defused by prudent intervention and calibrated diplomacy. Today, Qatar stands as a beacon of such hope, its trusted relationships across rival blocs making it a vital guarantor of de-escalation.
This is not the first time war drums have echoed across the region. Nor is it the first time that Qatar has proven the viability of dialogue over confrontation. A vivid example lies in the Afghan peace file, where Qatar succeeded—through patience and tireless effort—in facilitating a direct dialogue between the United States and the Taliban. That process, once deemed unimaginable, was made possible only by the mutual confidence that both parties placed in Doha.
The same trust enabled Qatar to play a decisive role in mediating between Hamas and Israel. Doha’s quiet diplomacy helped achieve the first and second phases of the prisoner exchange agreements—a profound political and humanitarian achievement that underscores what can be realized when diplomacy is coupled with integrity and strategic finesse.
From this vantage point, the need for a unified Gulf stance becomes ever more urgent. Such a position should not be weighed down by the baggage of past grievances, but should instead be driven by a future-oriented vision—one that understands that any aggression against a regional state, regardless of complexities in bilateral ties, constitutes a grave breach of collective security and demands clear condemnation.
It is not in the Gulf’s interest to leave its response to such a volatile moment to chance. Rather, the Gulf states must mobilize their considerable diplomatic arsenal to exert pressure on the United States—its closest strategic ally—to rein in Israeli escalation and prevent Washington’s entanglement in a wider war. A united Gulf message must also convey to American policymakers the direct threat such escalation poses to their own interests in the region, particularly in relation to energy security and market stability.
Gulf states remain pivotal players in the global energy market, accounting for roughly a quarter of global oil production and over 28% of its exports. More than 30% of the world’s seaborne oil trade passes through the Strait of Hormuz. Any disruption in this critical corridor would ripple far beyond regional oil prices, shaking the foundations of the global economy. These hard realities offer the Gulf a suite of soft-power levers—tools that can be wisely deployed to convince Washington that continuing the Israeli-Iranian confrontation is not only dangerous, but unsustainable.
Furthermore, the Gulf’s long-standing geographic, economic, and human ties with Iran—despite historical frictions—represent a natural foundation for constructive dialogue. Shared investments, cross-border trade, and deeply rooted human relationships have long linked both shores of the Gulf, creating a web of interdependence that favors mutual understanding over division.
It is in this context that Qatar’s regional positioning shines ever more brightly. Qatar is not a battlefield but a bridge—an arena not of conflict, but of solutions. With balanced ties to both Iran and the United States, and a principled foreign policy rooted in respect for sovereignty and international order, Doha commands an extraordinary level of trust.
Indeed, in today’s world, the architecture of modern power has evolved. Influence is no longer defined solely by nuclear arsenals or carrier fleets. Through soft power, nations project influence via values, ethics, human rights, culture, and development. In this regard, Qatar has excelled. Its strategic use of soft power—particularly in foreign policy—has elevated its standing, enhanced its ability to protect its national interests, and made it a model for constructive global engagement. Many countries now seek partnerships with Qatar, not merely for strategic interests, but out of admiration for its governance model.
Take the Afghan file, for example: while the United Nations—constrained by procedural inertia—struggled to act swiftly, Qatar’s deft diplomacy resolved what multilateral structures could not. In hot zones around the world, Qatar’s initiatives have consistently leaned away from military options and toward humanitarian relief, refugee repatriation, and diplomatic breakthroughs.
In this critical hour, what Arab citizens crave most is not hollow reassurance, but confidence grounded in proven action. In Qatar—given its record, alliances, and standing—they have every reason to trust. In a region marked by volatility, Qatar remains a steadfast guardian of peace, balance, and measured diplomacy—a voice of reason in a world too often tempted by chaos.
- The writer is a journalist and academic based in the United Kingdom.
