Qatar has decided to fully resume maritime navigation in the Persian Gulf. In a statement on Saturday, the Qatari Ministry of Transport announced that navigation for all vessels and ships would be fully restored starting Sunday.
In its announcement on the X platform, the ministry called on all parties to comply with the existing maritime rules and instructions to ensure the highest level of safety and security. The statement did not provide details on the reasons for the full resumption of navigation.
The decision comes amid ongoing military tensions between the US and Iran in the Strait of Hormuz and the Persian Gulf. Due to these escalating conflicts, Qatar's Ministry of Transport has suspended and resumed maritime traffic several times since the end of June.
The process began on June 29 with the suspension of all vessel operations. Activities partially resumed on July 5, but navigation was suspended again on July 12. With Saturday's announcement, it was declared that full-scale restoration would take place.
Security concerns in the region also led some shipping companies in June to instruct their ships to wait outside the Strait of Hormuz.
As the military conflict between the US and Iran has intensified in recent weeks, Washington has been launching attacks on Iran. Tehran claims it is targeting 'US military facilities and equipment' in regional countries, including Bahrain, Jordan and Kuwait.
US President Donald Trump announced on July 8 that the ceasefire reached in June had ended, accusing Iran of not complying with the agreement. This statement came after three tankers were hit by shells in the Strait of Hormuz and the dispute over the regulation of the maritime transit corridor reignited.
While Washington demands unrestricted passage of ships through the Strait of Hormuz, Iran insists that ships pass through a channel closer to its coast and that a mechanism subject to Tehran's oversight be implemented.
