Qatar Plans World’s Longest Undersea Tunnel to Iran, Boosting Trade & Connectivity

Qatar Plans Undersea Tunnel to Iran, Set to Be the World’s Longest!

Doha: Qatar is actively working on constructing an undersea tunnel through the Persian Gulf. Reports indicate that during his recent visit to Iran, Qatar’s Emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, hinted at discussions regarding the project. The tunnel aims to enhance connectivity between West Asian nations and the Mediterranean region.

Discussions on the Qatar-Iran tunnel project intensified during the tenure of Iran’s former president, Ebrahim Raisi. When Raisi visited Qatar in February 2022, he had assured efforts to accelerate the project. Amid reports that a joint committee was studying the feasibility, Qatar’s Emir has now stepped in to push the initiative forward.

Iranian media reports suggest that Qatar will soon appoint a new committee to study the tunnel project. The Emir reportedly discussed the matter with Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, emphasizing Qatar’s commitment to the plan.

World’s Longest Undersea Tunnel
Once completed, the tunnel will be the longest undersea passage in the world, spanning 190 kilometers from northern Qatar to Dayyer on Iran’s coast. In comparison, the world’s longest existing metro tunnel is China’s Chengdu Metro, which is only 68 kilometers—about one-third of the Qatar-Iran tunnel’s length.

Projected Costs & Feasibility
The longest existing undersea tunnel, the 38-km Channel Tunnel between Britain and France, was built between 1988 and 1994 at a cost of $21 billion. Given the scale of the Qatar-Iran project, estimating the exact cost is difficult, but the financial burden will likely fall on Qatar, one of the world’s wealthiest nations. The construction will commence only after thorough financial assessments.

Economic & Strategic Impact
Currently, Qatar has only a land border with Saudi Arabia. If realized, the tunnel will open direct trade routes from Qatar to Eurasian countries, facilitating market access for its vast natural gas reserves. Qatar and Russia jointly dominate the global gas market, with Qatar also holding a 20% stake in Russia’s oil giant Rosneft.

The new tunnel will unlock massive trade opportunities for Qatar, benefiting Saudi Arabia as well. It will create easier access to African, Mediterranean, and European markets while bringing Central Asia, Russia, and China closer. For Iran, the project also offers strategic advantages by improving access to the Suez Canal trade routes.