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Qatar

The latest news, analysis and opinion on Qatar. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.

Capital

Doha

Head of State

Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani

Head of Government

Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani

Exhaust gases billow from the chimneys of the Taean Thermal Power Station in South Korea. Photo: AFP

US, Israel war on Iran

Asia ramps up coal power generation to avoid soaring LNG costs amid Iran war

LNG prices have doubled to three-year highs as shipping through the Strait of Hormuz has all but stopped and Qatar halts shipments.

4 hours ago

China trade

Strait of Hormuz marks first full day’s pause as no ships cross amid Iran war

16 Mar 2026 - 7:02PM

Hong Kong tourism

30% jump in demand for regional holidays among Hongkongers amid Middle East war

16 Mar 2026 - 10:20AMvideocam

US, Israel war on Iran

Trump warns he ‘may delay’ China visit in demand for countries to secure Hormuz

Some allies say no to ships, after US president demands at least seven countries help secure the strategic waterway.

16 Mar 2026 - 6:46PMvideocam

105

US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping when they met in Busan, South Korea, October 30, 2025. Photo: Reuters

Middle East

Opinion | How US-Israel war on Iran rocks foundations of the Abraham Accords

For Arab states, the conflict has revealed a paradox: the alliances meant to enhance their security may also have increased their vulnerability.

16 Mar 2026 - 5:30AMvideocam

US, Israel war on Iran

To help Middle East nations fight drones, Ukraine wants cash and tech

This is about ⁠protection and a full assessment of how to counter Shahed drones, says Zelensky, after Kyiv dispatched dozens of experts.

15 Mar 2026 - 5:34PMvideocam

US, Israel war on Iran

Iran war entering ‘decisive phase’, Israel says, as attacks continue

Washington’s embassy in Iraq was hit by a drone, while clouds of black smoke rose over the Fujairah energy facility in the UAE.

14 Mar 2026 - 11:51PM

Smoke rises in the Fujairah oil industry zone, caused by debris after interception of a drone by air defences, according to the Fujairah media office, amid the US-Israel conflict with Iran, in Fujairah, the United Arab Emirates, on Saturday. Photo: Reuters

Pakistan

Afghan Taliban’s drone attacks on civilians ‘crossed red line’, Pakistan warns

Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari says the administration in Kabul has brought ‘grave consequences upon itself’.

14 Mar 2026 - 9:30PM

US, Israel war on Iran

Hamas calls on Iran to ‘avoid targeting neighbouring countries’

The Palestinian Islamist group also urges the international community to ‘work towards halting’ the ongoing war immediately.

14 Mar 2026 - 7:30PMvideocam

US, Israel war on Iran

US claims Strait of Hormuz will not close, Iran’s new supreme leader ‘wounded’

Few details revealed about measures to restore oil flow as reports indicate the US is now sending amphibious assault ship, Marines to region.

14 Mar 2026 - 2:44PMvideocam

Oil tankers sail near the Strait of Hormuz off Iran’s coast on Wednesday. Photo: Reuters

US, Israel war on Iran

Iran’s new supreme leader defies Trump, says Hormuz must stay blocked

In first declaration since his appointment as the country’s new supreme leader, Khamenei demands that US military bases in region must close.

13 Mar 2026 - 5:44PMvideocam

136

Left: the Thai‑flagged cargo ship Mayuree Naree burns after being hit by Iranian missiles in the Strait of Hormuz on Wednesday. Right: Iran’s new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei. Photos: EPA/Royal Thai Navy, Iran Military Monitor via X

US, Israel war on Iran

Preparing for the worst? US bunker maker claims big demand in Middle East

Following strikes on regional hubs, Atlas Survival Shelters says demand from Gulf nation clients is at an ‘all-time high’.

12 Mar 2026 - 11:09AM

US, Israel war on Iran

UN Security Council demands Iran halt attacks on Gulf states

The resolution did not mention US or Israeli strikes, prompting Tehran’s ambassador to decry ‘blatant misuse’ of the international body.

12 Mar 2026 - 7:03AMvideocam

China trade

As Iran war hits trade hubs, China’s logistics firms rush for alternatives

Disrupted Middle East transit routes squeeze sector, pushing freight costs higher and pressuring supply chains.

12 Mar 2026 - 5:56AMvideocam

About half of China’s oil comes from the Middle East, underscoring the importance of the Strait of Hormuz (pictured, with anchored LPG gas tanker on Wednesday), which also serves as a crucial trade corridor for the country’s exports. Photo: Reuters

Taiwan

How Iran’s strikes on US bases could offer a preview for the Asia-Pacific

Tehran’s retaliation against Washington’s Gulf allies offers lessons for a potential Taiwan conflict, analysts say.

11 Mar 2026 - 10:00PM

Kadena Air Base in Okinawa, Japan is the biggest US airbase in East Asia. Analysts say American forces operating out of Japan could be vulnerable to attacks by the PLA in the event of a Taiwan conflict. Photo: Kyodo

Energy

Iran war threatens prolonged energy shock, slower growth for Asia

Observers say an extended disruption of energy flows could mean persistently higher fuel costs and widening trade deficits for Asian importers.

11 Mar 2026 - 9:45PMvideocam

US, Israel war on Iran

Sowing the seeds of hunger: war on Iran puts Asia’s next harvest at risk

As Gulf gas plants go offline, missing fertiliser shipments today could mean empty shelves and record food prices by autumn.

11 Mar 2026 - 5:52PMvideocam

US, Israel war on Iran

Casualty figures across the Middle East as Iran war enters second week

Since the launch of ‘Operation Epic Fury’, casualties have mounted across the region, with civilians in Iran and Lebanon bearing the brunt.

10 Mar 2026 - 1:11PM

An Israeli strike on Beirut’s southern suburbs on Monday. Photo: Reuters

Israel-Gaza war

Trump’s Gaza plan ‘on hold’ as Iran war halts disarmament talks

The pause threatens to stall implementation of Trump’s flagship Middle East peace initiative.

10 Mar 2026 - 1:53PMvideocam

Weather

A heatwave is coming to Southeast Asia. So is an energy shock

Indonesia and Malaysia are set to feel the worst of an early summer first, compounding an LNG supply crisis triggered by the Iran war.

9 Mar 2026 - 4:22PM

Malaysia

Malaysia vows to hold petrol prices as Iran war pushes oil past US$100

Malaysia’s prime minister guarantees citizens that RON95 petrol will remain at 1.99 ringgit despite the US-Israel war on Iran.

9 Mar 2026 - 2:11PMvideocam

Fuel pump nozzles are seen at a petrol station in Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia. Photo: AFP

US, Israel war on Iran

Macron to visit Cyprus, French warships deployed as war in Middle East rages

The president’s visit will demonstrate France’s solidarity with Cyprus following Iranian strikes and underscore the importance of maritime security in the region.

9 Mar 2026 - 8:14PMvideocam

The French aircraft carrier Charles-de-Gaulle passes through the Strait of Gibraltar off the coast of southern Spain in Tarifa on March 6. Photo: AFP

US, Israel war on Iran

Iran strikes on desalination plants threaten Arab states’ water supplies

In Kuwait, about 90 per cent of drinking water comes from desalination, along with roughly 86 per cent in Oman and about 70 per cent in Saudi Arabia.

9 Mar 2026 - 10:22AMvideocam

US, Israel war on Iran

Kuwait airport, Saudi Arabia targeted as Iran vows to continue Gulf strikes

Qatar also reports new attacks, after loud explosions were heard in Dubai and Bahrain’s Manama.

8 Mar 2026 - 1:11PM

US, Israel war on Iran

Iran vows more attacks in Gulf despite president’s apology

Tehran says it will continue drone and missile strikes on sites in neighbouring countries that are ‘at the disposal of the enemy’.

8 Mar 2026 - 4:55AMvideocam

Smoke rising from the Dubai International Airport during attacks from Iran on Saturday. Photo: UGC/AFP

US, Israel war on Iran

Trump calls Iran ‘loser’ after president apologises for strikes on neighbours

Although Masoud Pezeshkian said Iran would halt attacks on regional nations, intense fire has still been targeting Gulf states.

7 Mar 2026 - 10:36PMvideocam

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian. File photo: dpa

Hong Kong economy

As Iran war closes Middle East skies, how high can Cathay Pacific fares fly?

Cathay fares to Hong Kong surge 93 per cent on average for Saturday departures compared with typical prices over past 12 months.

9 Mar 2026 - 8:15PM

US, Israel war on Iran

‘Disappointing’: Americans recall desperate, self-funded escapes from Mideast

‘Everyone’s been sending each other resources because, quite frankly, the US has not done a single thing in any capacity,’ a traveller says.

7 Mar 2026 - 11:35AMvideocam

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Qatar

Asia ramps up coal power generation to avoid soaring LNG costs amid Iran war

LNG prices have doubled to three-year highs as shipping through the Strait of Hormuz has all but stopped and Qatar halts shipments.

Strait of Hormuz marks first full day’s pause as no ships cross amid Iran war

30% jump in demand for regional holidays among Hongkongers amid Middle East war

Trump warns he ‘may delay’ China visit in demand for countries to secure Hormuz

Some allies say no to ships, after US president demands at least seven countries help secure the strategic waterway.

.css-1pcrwvc{color:#2aa191;}Opinion | How US-Israel war on Iran rocks foundations of the Abraham Accords

For Arab states, the conflict has revealed a paradox: the alliances meant to enhance their security may also have increased their vulnerability.

To help Middle East nations fight drones, Ukraine wants cash and tech

This is about ⁠protection and a full assessment of how to counter Shahed drones, says Zelensky, after Kyiv dispatched dozens of experts.

Iran war entering ‘decisive phase’, Israel says, as attacks continue

Washington’s embassy in Iraq was hit by a drone, while clouds of black smoke rose over the Fujairah energy facility in the UAE.

Afghan Taliban’s drone attacks on civilians ‘crossed red line’, Pakistan warns

Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari says the administration in Kabul has brought ‘grave consequences upon itself’.

Hamas calls on Iran to ‘avoid targeting neighbouring countries’

The Palestinian Islamist group also urges the international community to ‘work towards halting’ the ongoing war immediately.

US claims Strait of Hormuz will not close, Iran’s new supreme leader ‘wounded’

Few details revealed about measures to restore oil flow as reports indicate the US is now sending amphibious assault ship, Marines to region.

Iran’s new supreme leader defies Trump, says Hormuz must stay blocked

In first declaration since his appointment as the country’s new supreme leader, Khamenei demands that US military bases in region must close.

Preparing for the worst? US bunker maker claims big demand in Middle East

Following strikes on regional hubs, Atlas Survival Shelters says demand from Gulf nation clients is at an ‘all-time high’.

UN Security Council demands Iran halt attacks on Gulf states

The resolution did not mention US or Israeli strikes, prompting Tehran’s ambassador to decry ‘blatant misuse’ of the international body.

As Iran war hits trade hubs, China’s logistics firms rush for alternatives

Disrupted Middle East transit routes squeeze sector, pushing freight costs higher and pressuring supply chains.

How Iran’s strikes on US bases could offer a preview for the Asia-Pacific

Tehran’s retaliation against Washington’s Gulf allies offers lessons for a potential Taiwan conflict, analysts say.

Iran war threatens prolonged energy shock, slower growth for Asia

Observers say an extended disruption of energy flows could mean persistently higher fuel costs and widening trade deficits for Asian importers.

Sowing the seeds of hunger: war on Iran puts Asia’s next harvest at risk

As Gulf gas plants go offline, missing fertiliser shipments today could mean empty shelves and record food prices by autumn.

Casualty figures across the Middle East as Iran war enters second week

Since the launch of ‘Operation Epic Fury’, casualties have mounted across the region, with civilians in Iran and Lebanon bearing the brunt.

Trump’s Gaza plan ‘on hold’ as Iran war halts disarmament talks

The pause threatens to stall implementation of Trump’s flagship Middle East peace initiative.

A heatwave is coming to Southeast Asia. So is an energy shock

Indonesia and Malaysia are set to feel the worst of an early summer first, compounding an LNG supply crisis triggered by the Iran war.

Malaysia vows to hold petrol prices as Iran war pushes oil past US$100

Malaysia’s prime minister guarantees citizens that RON95 petrol will remain at 1.99 ringgit despite the US-Israel war on Iran.

Macron to visit Cyprus, French warships deployed as war in Middle East rages

The president’s visit will demonstrate France’s solidarity with Cyprus following Iranian strikes and underscore the importance of maritime security in the region.

Iran strikes on desalination plants threaten Arab states’ water supplies

In Kuwait, about 90 per cent of drinking water comes from desalination, along with roughly 86 per cent in Oman and about 70 per cent in Saudi Arabia.

Kuwait airport, Saudi Arabia targeted as Iran vows to continue Gulf strikes

Qatar also reports new attacks, after loud explosions were heard in Dubai and Bahrain’s Manama.

Iran vows more attacks in Gulf despite president’s apology

Tehran says it will continue drone and missile strikes on sites in neighbouring countries that are ‘at the disposal of the enemy’.

Trump calls Iran ‘loser’ after president apologises for strikes on neighbours

Although Masoud Pezeshkian said Iran would halt attacks on regional nations, intense fire has still been targeting Gulf states.

As Iran war closes Middle East skies, how high can Cathay Pacific fares fly?

Cathay fares to Hong Kong surge 93 per cent on average for Saturday departures compared with typical prices over past 12 months.

‘Disappointing’: Americans recall desperate, self-funded escapes from Mideast

‘Everyone’s been sending each other resources because, quite frankly, the US has not done a single thing in any capacity,’ a traveller says.

Opinion | How US-Israel war on Iran rocks foundations of the Abraham Accords