Qatar plans defense partnership against missiles, drones and cyberattacks

Qatar will soon announce a new defense partnership, Deputy Prime Minister Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman Al Thani said Monday at the Global Security Forum in Doha. He said it would help counter ballistic missiles, drones and cyberattacks, while also addressing water security.

Sheikh Saoud said Qatar was applying lessons from the Iran war to improve its protection and develop defense plans with its neighbors. He also outlined plans for a local defense production hub involving manufacturing or investment in defense companies, working with a regional partner and allies including the United States, Britain and France.

He called for talks involving Iran, the six Gulf Cooperation Council countries, Pakistan and Turkey once the United States and Iran reach a settlement. Closer economic ties could help prevent another conflict, he argued.

Sheikh Saoud also warned that energy disruptions had not reached their peak and that more difficulties could follow in coming days and months. He rejected transit fees in the Strait of Hormuz and said shipping uncertainty would raise consumer costs.