Qatar’s revenues have fallen by 42 per cent in the first half of 2026, its emir says, as gas infrastructure and exports took a severe hit during the Middle East war, according to AFP.

Qatar, the world’s second-largest exporter of liquefied natural gas (LNG) after the US, lost a “significant proportion” of its exports, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani tells the annual session of the Shura Council advisory body in Doha.

“The closure of the Strait of Hormuz, together with the direct damage inflicted on some energy facilities in Ras Laffan Industrial City, disrupted a significant portion of the country’s exports,” the emir outlines.

“It is only natural that the crisis would have a negative impact on public finances, as the total revenues declined by 42pc during the first half of the year,” he adds.