Knowledge Tree
Qatar
Facts (67)
Sources
Iran Conflict Brief: The High Cost of Attacking Energy Infrastructure energypolicy.columbia.edu Mar 19, 2026 15 facts
claimDamage to Qatar's LNG facilities could lead to a long-term decline in investment in LNG infrastructure and lower global LNG demand.
accountIsraeli forces conducted strikes on the South Pars gas field in Iran, which led to retaliatory attacks on Qatar’s Ras Laffan LNG plant and energy assets in the UAE, Kuwait, and Saudi Arabia.
measurementTwo LNG liquefaction plants in Qatar were hit, resulting in a loss of 12.8 million tons of capacity, which represents 17% of Qatar's total LNG export capacity.
accountEarlier in the conflict, Iran struck energy infrastructure including Ras Laffan Industrial City, refineries, ports, gas fields, and desalination facilities located in Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and Bahrain.
claimThe South Pars gas field in Iran and the North Field in Qatar are the same geological infrastructure and constitute the largest gas field in the world.
claimAnne-Sophie Corbeau's worst-case scenario for the energy supply involves an attack on Kharg Island or South Pars, followed by retaliatory damage to Qatar's LNG facilities, which would impact both existing infrastructure and facilities under construction.
claimQatar has attempted to maintain good diplomatic relations with Iran and has pushed for detente, despite sharing a gas field with the country.
claimQatar lacks a viable infrastructure alternative to bypass the Strait of Hormuz for its gas exports, unlike Saudi Arabia, which utilizes pipelines to transport oil to the coast.
accountFollowing the Israeli attack on the South Pars gas field, Iran retaliated by causing extensive damage to Qatar's Ras Laffan, which is the world's largest LNG plant, and targeted oil fields and refineries in Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia.
claimDaniel Sternoff notes that there is significant potential for further damage to energy infrastructure, specifically mentioning Qatar LNG facilities, UAE facilities, and upstream oil facilities in Saudi Arabia and the UAE.
claimQatar's gas export capacity is geographically dependent on the Strait of Hormuz and, consequently, on Iran.
accountOn March 18, 2026, Israel, with the apparent support of the Trump administration, targeted the South Pars gas field, which is the largest gas field on Earth, shared by Qatar and Iran, and Iran's largest domestic energy source.
claimAnne-Sophie Corbeau projects that if LNG liquefaction plants in Qatar fail to restart during 2026, global LNG supply levels would regress to those observed in 2021.
accountFollowing the attack on South Pars on March 18th, the Pearl GTL (gas-to-liquid) facility in Qatar was damaged.
claimA group of foreign ministers from Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Pakistan, and Turkey issued a joint statement that was directly critical of Iran.
What Does the Iran War Mean for Global Energy Markets? - CSIS csis.org Mar 6, 2026 13 facts
claimA sustained production hit in Qatar would negatively impact both term buyers in South Asia who rely on Qatari supply and spot market buyers who would face increased competition for available cargoes.
claimManagement of the shared gas reservoir between Qatar and Iran requires coordination between the two countries because production rates on one side influence gas migration, pressure, and recovery on the other side.
claimTemporary disruptions at Qatar's export hub at Ras Laffan or heightened security conditions in the Gulf could delay the commissioning of new LNG liquefaction trains.
measurementA one-month halt in supply from Qatar and the United Arab Emirates would remove approximately 7 million tons of liquefied natural gas (LNG) from the global market.
measurementThe International Energy Agency estimates that Qatar’s multi-phase North Field expansion will account for approximately 21 percent of expected global LNG supply additions between 2024 and 2030.
claimPolitical fragmentation in Iran or a shift toward resource nationalism could complicate cooperation between Qatar and Iran and introduce uncertainty regarding the long-term development of their shared gas field.
perspectiveBen Cahill suggests that if the conflict leads to a more pro-American government in Tehran, Qatar’s structural geographic and shipping vulnerabilities could diminish, though this would likely require Qatar to reposition itself alongside the U.S. and Israel.
measurementQatar produced nearly 20 percent of global liquefied natural gas (LNG) last year, with over 80 percent of its cargoes exported to Asia.
perspectiveBen Cahill, a Senior Associate at the CSIS Energy Security and Climate Change Program, posits that the best-case scenario for Qatar regarding the shared gas reservoir is the emergence of stable and pragmatic leadership in Tehran that continues to respect bilateral arrangements.
measurementQatar's North Field expansion project is designed to increase LNG export capacity from 77 million tonnes per annum (mtpa) to 110 mtpa by 2027, with a potential increase to 126 mtpa by the end of the decade.
claimQatar typically insists on long-term contracts with oil-linked pricing and destination restrictions for its LNG exports.
measurementThe shared gas reservoir between Qatar and Iran contains roughly 51 trillion cubic meters (tcm) of non-associated gas in place, with an estimated 25 tcm of recoverable reserves in Qatari waters and 14 tcm in Iranian waters.
claimThe current Gulf conflict highlights the transit and geopolitical risks associated with liquefied natural gas (LNG) supply from Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, and Oman.
Experts React | Effects of the Iran War on Energy Markets fpri.org Mar 23, 2026 7 facts
claimEnergy markets may readjust as the conflict continues, especially following recent attacks on energy infrastructure in Iran and Qatar.
claimIran’s ballistic missile attacks on Qatar’s liquefied natural gas (LNG) infrastructure have caused turmoil in global energy markets.
claimThe loss of aluminum supplies from Qatar and Bahrain is driving up prices for solar photovoltaics, but the loss of over 40% of global sulfur exports is more significant because sulfur is a key feedstock for sulfuric acid, which is used in the leach extraction of metals like copper.
claimQatari gas exports are likely to remain trapped as long as the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) threatens drone attacks on Qatar's facilities.
measurementThe CEO of QatarEnergy announced that approximately 17% of Qatar’s LNG export capacity will be offline for up to five years, requiring billions of dollars in repairs.
accountIran conducted a retaliatory strike on Qatar’s Ras Laffan liquefied natural gas (LNG) plant following Israel's attack on Iran's South Pars gas facilities.
claimThe Strait of Hormuz is the most significant geographical choke-point for natural gas, as Qatar exports roughly one-fifth of the world’s annual production of LNG through it.
Conflict in the Middle East and the Impact on the Global Economy trendsresearch.org Mar 7, 2026 7 facts
measurementChina sources nearly one-third of its LNG imports from Qatar, making it the largest buyer of Qatari LNG.
measurementThe price of natural gas in Europe increased by 50% following the announcement by Qatar’s state-owned oil company regarding the shutdown of LNG production.
measurementIndia is the second-largest buyer of LNG from Qatar.
measurementAt least eleven LNG tankers traveling to or from Qatar have paused their voyages to avoid the route through the Strait of Hormuz.
claimQatar’s state-owned oil company announced it is shutting down the production of LNG due to the dangers associated with transiting through the Strait of Hormuz.
claimCrude oil passing through the Strait of Hormuz originates from Iran, Iraq, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates.
claimThe closure of the Strait of Hormuz would significantly affect Qatar's supply of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) to the world, potentially triggering the worst global gas supply crisis since the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Iran and Middle East conflict impacts global economy - Deloitte deloitte.com Mar 18, 2026 7 facts
measurementApproximately 10% of liquefied natural gas (LNG) from Qatar and the United Arab Emirates transiting through the Strait of Hormuz was destined for the European Union.
measurementIn 2024, 40.7% of India’s natural gas imports originated from Qatar.
claimQatar has stopped production at its largest urea manufacturing plant due to the impact of liquified natural gas (LNG) plant shutdowns on urea production.
claimThere are no alternate export routes for liquified natural gas (LNG) from Qatar and the United Arab Emirates to countries outside the region.
claimQatar halted liquified natural gas (LNG) production following a drone attack on its facilities.
measurementHamad International Airport in Doha, Qatar, handled 54.3 million passengers in 2025.
measurementIn 2025, 112 billion cubic meters of liquified natural gas (LNG) from Qatar and the United Arab Emirates traveled through the Strait of Hormuz.
After the War: Rethinking Regional Security in the Middle ... arab-reform.net Mar 13, 2026 3 facts
claimYemen, Libya, and Sudan suffer from regional competition and fragmentation resulting from the rivalry between Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Egypt against Türkiye and Qatar.
accountThe Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states and Egypt ended their diplomatic rift with Qatar following the Al-Ula declaration in January 2021.
claimPost-Arab Spring regional competition involved a rivalry between Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Egypt against Türkiye and Qatar, which included a 3-year boycott of Qatar by its neighbors.
Twenty questions (and expert answers) about the Iran war atlanticcouncil.org Mar 11, 2026 2 facts
claimQatar’s liquefied natural gas (LNG) capacity remains offline, while Russian LNG remains unsanctioned and continues to be supplied globally.
claimIf the Middle East conflict continues and Qatar is unable to restart its LNG infrastructure quickly, Russia will likely increase its LNG exports to fill the supply gap and generate income.
Middle East conflict economic impacts chips | Sourceability sourceability.com 7 days ago 2 facts
Iran War: Potential Impact on Global Equities - Charles Schwab schwab.com 2 facts
claimEnergy supply to international countries is currently disrupted by the effective closure of traffic through the Strait of Hormuz and the shut-in of LNG production in Qatar.
measurementThe closure of the Strait of Hormuz and the shut-in of LNG production in Qatar have resulted in 20% of global oil supply and 20% of global LNG supply being cut off.
United States and Iran on the Brink: What's at Stake? - CSIS csis.org 2 facts
claimThe CSIS event featured Mona Yacoubian (director of the Middle East program at CSIS) and four nonresident affiliates: Michael Ratney (former U.S. ambassador to Saudi Arabia), Susan Ziadeh (former U.S. ambassador to Qatar), Vali Nasr (professor at Johns Hopkins SAIS), and Joseph Farsakh (former State Department senior policy advisor).
claimRecent high-level diplomatic visits, including Bahrain's Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad's trip to Qatar and the Emir of Qatar's meeting with Mohammed bin Zayed in Abu Dhabi, reflect significant regional anxiety regarding current geopolitical instability.
What Comes Next? Iran Through a Middle Powers Lens belfercenter.org Mar 3, 2026 1 fact
claimVietnam maintains contingency plans to protect or evacuate approximately 10,000 Vietnamese workers located in Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, and Kuwait.
Iran's Strategies in Response To Changes in US-China Relations mepc.org 1 fact
claimThe Iranian government presented the “Hormuz Peace Endeavor” (HOPE) during the GCC’s internal crisis with Qatar and the initial stage of the US-China trade war, motivated by a long-held aspiration to undermine United States hegemony.
Quick View: The Iran conflict's impact on global energy markets janushenderson.com Mar 2, 2026 1 fact
claimA significant volume of oil condensates and natural gas, primarily from Qatar, is exported through the Strait of Hormuz, with Asia being a top destination.
Escalation in the Middle East and Beyond unocha.org 7 days ago 1 fact
claimIranian strikes have killed or injured civilians, including migrant workers, in Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates.
Five fundamental questions for US foreign policy as the Iran war ... mei.edu 1 fact
accountPresident Donald Trump conducted a tour of Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates less than a year prior to the Iran war to secure high-value business deals for the United States.
Iran War: A Defining Moment for the Middle East—Global Analysis ... ajc.org 1 fact
claimResidents in the Gulf region anticipated that if the United States or Israel struck Iran, the Iranian regime would retaliate against U.S. military sites, including Al Dhafra Air Base (located less than 20 miles from the center of Abu Dhabi) and bases in Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Saudi Arabia.
Opportunities for Collective Regional Security in the Middle East carnegieendowment.org Mar 5, 2025 1 fact
claimSaudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar possess the financial and political capital necessary to influence outcomes in Syria and the broader Levant.