Gasoline prices in the United States climbed to their highest level in nearly four years on Tuesday as peace talks between Washington and Tehran appeared at an impasse.
The average price of regular gasoline in the United States has risen to 4.8 U.S. dollars per gallon, the highest level since April 2022, representing the biggest single-day increase in more than a month, according to data from the American Automobile Association (AAA).
Brent crude oil, the international benchmark, has surged six times in the past seven trading days, and its price is still more than 40 percent higher than before the U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran in late February.
US gas prices rise to highest level in nearly 4 years
US gas prices rise to highest level in nearly 4 years
Qatar firmly opposes using the Strait of Hormuz as a tool for exerting pressure, warning that any disruption to maritime traffic would have severe consequences for global energy security and supply chains.
Speaking at a media briefing on Tuesday, Qatar's Foreign Ministry spokesman Majed Al-Ansari said that any impediment to passage through the Strait of Hormuz would trigger widespread economic ripple effects, and that Qatar firmly opposes any action that obstruct the navigation of vessels.
He stressed the urgent need for enhanced global coordination to ensure the smooth flow of energy supplies and voiced Qatar's support for all international efforts aimed at ensuring the security and reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.
"So, our focus is on ending that war, on reaching a diplomatic solution that hopefully would mean that you would not resort back to the use of the strait as leverage. But, of course, we call on all parties to open the strait immediately," he said.
Al-Ansari also said that diplomatic means is the only way to resolve the current crisis in the Middle East, and that Qatar supports Pakistan's mediation efforts aimed at de-escalating the situation.
Qatar hopes to reach a comprehensive agreement that takes into account the interests of the Iranian people and the people of other countries in the region, while also addressing the international community's concerns regarding the Iranian issue, said the spokesman.
Qatar opposes using Strait of Hormuz as tool of pressure
