Qatar has warned that an Iranian war could disrupt energy exports in the Gulf region within "a few weeks."

The Qatari Minister of Energy said that if the war against Iran lasts for several weeks, the global economy would be affected.

Qatari Minister of Energy Saad al-Kabi said that if the war with Iran escalates further, Gulf exports could stop within "a few weeks," which would cause turmoil in the global energy market.

Kabi said in an interview with the Financial Times on Friday that if the war lasts for several weeks, "global GDP growth will be affected."

"Energy prices for everyone will go up. Some products will face shortages, which will trigger a chain reaction, causing many factories to be unable to supply," Kabi said.

On Monday, Qatar halted liquefied natural gas (LNG) production after Iran fired a series of missiles and drones at the country and its Gulf neighbors in response to attacks by the US and Israel that began on Saturday.

Iran's attacks have increasingly targeted energy infrastructure, causing gas prices to surge and raising global concerns.

Qatar's LNG production accounts for about 20% of global supply and plays a key role in balancing the demand for this product in Asian and European markets.

"We expect that all companies that have not yet invoked the force majeure clause will do so in the coming days," Kabi told the Financial Times, referring to a clause that exempts companies from responsibility or obligations in the event of extraordinary circumstances.

"All exporters in the Gulf region will have to invoke the force majeure clause," said the minister.

The minister also said that even if the war ended immediately, Qatar would need "weeks to months" to resume normal cargo transportation.

Tis van der Graaf, an energy researcher at the Brussels-based Institute for Geopolitical Studies, explained that oil tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic waterway in the Gulf, had sharply declined due to the war.

Van der Graaf told Al Jazeera: "All Gulf producers relying on this export route will have to stop production, just as Iraq has already done with two or three major oil fields."

"This could lead to long-term chain reactions, because turning oil wells on and off is not as simple as flipping a light switch," he said. "It's bad news for many producers in the region, and time is pressing."

No End in Sight

The war shows no signs of easing, with US senior officials promising to bring "death and destruction" to Iran, and growing concerns about a potential ground invasion.

Meanwhile, despite international condemnation of Iran's attacks as violations of international law, Iran continues to fire at various targets in the region.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian posted on social media on Friday that Iran "is committed to lasting peace in the region, but we do not hesitate to defend our country's dignity and sovereignty."

In response to calls for mediation, Pezeshkian said that any such efforts "should target those who underestimate the Iranian people and provoke this conflict," referring to the US and Israel.

Sources: Al Jazeera

Original: toutiao.com/article/1858952148627456/

Statement: This article represents the views of the author."