Qatar’s Prime Minister warns that an attack on Iran’s nuclear sites could contaminate Gulf waters, jeopardizing vital water supplies for Qatar, the UAE, and Kuwait. He urges for diplomatic solutions rather than military action, emphasizing the region’s vulnerability due to reliance on desalinated water. Trump’s reinstated pressure campaign could further escalate tensions.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, Qatar’s Prime Minister, has cautioned that an assault on Iran’s nuclear facilities could lead to significant contamination of the Gulf waters, jeopardizing the survival of Qatar, the UAE, and Kuwait. These nations depend heavily on desalinated water sourced from the Gulf, hosting over 18 million inhabitants with few natural water reserves.
He further emphasized that targeting Iran’s nuclear sites would result in the absence of potable water and fish, thus endangering life in the region. In this context, U.S. President Donald Trump has expressed his intention to negotiate a nuclear agreement with Iran while simultaneously reinstating a ‘maximum pressure’ strategy that aims to economically isolate Iran and halt its oil exports.
Sheikh Mohammed called for diplomatic negotiations to prevent military actions that could instigate widespread conflict across the region. He stated firmly, “There is no way that Qatar would support any kind of military step … we will not give up until we see a diplomatic solution.”
In light of potential threats, Qatar had previously acknowledged that an attack on Iranian nuclear sites could deplete its emergency water supply within three days. To mitigate this risk, Qatar has constructed 15 large concrete water reservoirs,
bolstering its capacity for emergency water storage.
The Prime Minister noted the proximity of some Iranian nuclear sites to Doha, highlighting potential risks. Currently, Iran operates only one nuclear power plant, located at Bushehr along the Gulf coast. While Qatar maintains a strong alliance with the U.S. and hosts a significant American military base, it also cooperates with Iran, sharing the world’s largest gas field.
The dynamics have shifted since President Trump withdrew the U.S. from a pivotal deal with Iran that previously restricted its nuclear operations in exchange for easing sanctions. Following these actions, Iran has subsequently exceeded the established limits on its nuclear activities.
In summary, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani’s warnings underscore the precarious situation in the Gulf region regarding water security amid rising tensions with Iran. Emphasizing diplomacy over military intervention, he advocates for negotiations to address the nuclear issue collaboratively, highlighting the potential catastrophic consequences for Gulf nations dependent on desalinated water. The geopolitical landscape continues to evolve as Qatar strives to balance its relations with both the U.S. and Iran.
Original Source: www.hindustantimes.com
