Aadel Haleem
Qatar
Qatar warns Iran it will not be used as 'political punching bag'
Qatar warned Iran on Tuesday it will not be used as a “political punching bag,” calling for a "comprehensive deal" that would secure the Gulf. In response to Euronews, Qatar's foreign ministry spokesman said "we applaud our partners in Europe for taking the lead" in the Strait of Hormuz crisis.
Europe News
EU pursues 'deeper' Gulf partnerships, Costa tells Euronews in Doha
In the highest-level EU visit to the Gulf since the Iran war started, European Council President Antonio Costa reinforced the EU’s strategic partnerships with the Gulf states and pushed for the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, warning of “disastrous consequences”.
Iran
Hormuz standoff turns into cautious waiting game as US blockade begins
Trump claims Iran made new contact for a deal, as the first hours of the US blockade in the Strait of Hormuz show an apparent cautious approach from all sides as the fragile ceasefire is still holding. But China announces its own shipping transit agreement with Iran, warning the US not to interfere.
Qatar
Trump says US Navy will blockade Hormuz after stalled Iran talks
U.S. President Donald Trump ordered a naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz after talks with Iran in Islamabad ended without a deal. The move ramps up pressure as both sides blame each other, while Pakistan urges restraint and the ceasefire hangs in the balance.
World News
Trump threatens Strait of Hormuz blockade after US-Iran talks fail
Trump said in a social media post he has “instructed our Navy to seek and interdict every vessel in International Waters that has paid a toll to Iran. No one who pays an illegal toll will have safe passage on the high seas”.
Qatar
Overlooked IRGC body holds key to Iran's Hormuz approach, expert says
The fragile US-Iran ceasefire is already faltering, with Tehran still blocking the Strait of Hormuz navigation in protest against Israel’s attacks in Lebanon. A leading Iran expert indicates Tehran's Hormuz strategy could be part of a well-established strategy.
Qatar
Qatar warns Iran war could now 'spiral out of control'
In a series of direct warnings and as the US deadline for Iran approached later on Tuesday, Qatar’s foreign ministry called for “a way of ending the war before it spirals out of control”, adding that there was still time for diplomacy to prevail, “before it escalates beyond anyone’s control”.
Iran
Iran rejects ceasefire proposal with US as war of words deepens
Iran rejects a new 45-day ceasefire proposal, while the US is still expected to respond, as US President Donald Trump delays a threatened military strike tied to the Strait of Hormuz. Mediators are pushing for talks, but tensions remain high on both sides.
Israel
Israeli police block Latin Patriarch from celebrating Palm Sunday Mass
Jerusalem's Latin Patriarch and the Custos of the Holy Land were prevented by Israeli police from entering the Church of the Holy Sepulchre on Palm Sunday. It was the "first time in centuries" the Heads of Church were prevented from attending.
Qatar
Qatar PM urges halt to war after energy strikes
Qatar’s prime minister has called for an immediate end to the conflict after missile strikes hit energy facilities across the Gulf, including the country’s key Ras Laffan hub. Doha is demanding Iran halt the attacks, as gas prices surge and international pressure grows for de-escalation.
Qatar
Qatar rejects Iran's denial of civilian targets as attacks continue
Qatar said no conflict mediation was under way as Iranian attacks continued, with almost all threats intercepted so far. Doha hailed Europe's defence support, calling for "important increase in our defence and security partnerships with Europe."
Qatar
Qatar warns the world Iran war could yield 'catastrophic results'
“This is the biggest I told you so in the history of I told you sos in the world,” Qatari Foreign Ministry spokesman Dr Majed Al-Ansari told the media in a striking statement directed to all active combat forces in the Iran war just as a new wave of Iranian attacks triggered air raid alerts in Doha.