Losing access to Bab el-Mandeb would be 'catastrophic for the entire world,' Qatar warns

Summary

Qatar's government has issued a stark warning about the potential closure of the Bab el-Mandeb strait, a critical maritime chokepoint for global trade. This underscores the severe risk to energy security, as a significant portion of LNG and oil exports from the Gulf, including Qatar's own cargoes, transit this route to reach Europe. The statement reflects escalating geopolitical tensions in the Red Sea region and their direct threat to international energy flows.