Netanyahu accused of using Iran conflict to reshape the Middle East

Former Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim Al Thani has made several statements regarding the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. In an interview with Al Jazeera, he stated that the crisis in the Strait of Hormuz is a significant consequence of the recent war on Iran.

Sheikh Hamad described the situation as part of a long-term Israeli agenda to reshape the region through violent means. He attributed this to a “hardline faction” within Israel led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, which he claims has been pushing for conflict with Iran since the 1990s.

According to Sheikh Hamad, Netanyahu successfully convinced the US administration that the war would be short and swift, but ultimately, it has forced all parties back to the negotiating table. He noted that the US’s reliance on military might is not its greatest strength, but rather its ability to avoid using force.

Sheikh Hamad also commented on Iran’s strategy during the conflict, stating that it successfully absorbed initial military strikes and subsequently leveraged a new strategic advantage: the Strait of Hormuz. He warned that this poses a significant threat to global economies, as Iran is now treating the waterway as its own sovereign territory.

The former Qatari premier emphasized that the Gulf states have borne the brunt of this crisis, rather than Washington. He condemned Iran’s attacks on Gulf energy and industrial infrastructure, which he claimed were under the guise of targeting US interests.

Sheikh Hamad called for a unified Gulf defence pact and urged the establishment of a frank, collective dialogue with Tehran to establish a realistic framework for the future. Despite the challenges posed by Iran’s actions, he stressed that geography dictates coexistence and encouraged a collaborative approach to address the region’s complex issues.

The former Qatari prime minister also noted that an Oman-led diplomatic push in Geneva earlier this year could have potentially averted the catastrophe altogether.

Source: Al Jazeera