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June 23, 2026

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Qatar's Energy Minister and CEO of QatarEnergy Saad Sherida al-Kaabi speaks during a press conference in Doha on June 22, 2026.

Explainer

Qatar blast underscores challenges in race to restart Gulf energy flows

The deadly explosion marks an early test of Gulf efforts to revive oil and gas production following a historic energy supply shock caused by the US-Israel-Iran war.

A picture taken on June 5, 2017, shows a man walking past the Qatar National Bank branch in the Saudi capital Riyadh.

Gulf investment to turn inward to rebuild postwar infrastructure: QNB

Charles-Emmanuel de Beauregard, Qatar National Bank’s head of corporate and institutional banking, said that the Gulf countries will need to rebuild their logistics capabilities after the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

Latest News

Analysis

Gulf aluminum pursues global deals as Hormuz crisis accelerates shift

Aluminum from Dubai sits in the BMW Landshut factory on Oct. 25, 2024 in Ergolding, Germany.

Samuel Wendel

By Samuel Wendel

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech

Analysis

Turkey pushes Iraq, Syria trade routes as Hormuz crisis disrupts Gulf shipping

Vessels are seen anchored in the Strait of Hormuz, off the port city of Khasab on Oman's northern Musandam Peninsula, on May 17, 2026.

Barin Kayaoglu

By Barin Kayaoglu

In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security

Samuel Wendel

Senior Market Research Analyst

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech

Vanessa Ghanem

In Dubai, reporting on business, energy and politics

Karen Young

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional energy

Reve Chaaban

In Doha reporting on culture

Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani (L) welcomes Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (R) to Hamad International Airport in Doha, on Sept. 10, 2025.

UAE president visits Qatar, bans Israel from Dubai Airshow after Doha strikes

UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan threw his country’s support behind Qatar, saying the Israeli strikes on Qatari territory violated international laws.

TOPSHOT - Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (C) and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir (R) visit the scene of a shooting at the Ramot road junction in Israeli-annexed east Jerusalem on September 8, 2025. Palestinian gunmen opened fire at a bus stop in Israeli-annexed east Jerusalem on September 8, killing five people and wounding several others. Israeli emergency service Magen David Adom (MDA) said there were five victims dead in the shooting attack, updating an earlier toll of four. Police

Analysis

Trump fumes, Hamas scoffs: Will Israel’s Qatar strikes backfire?

While the targeted Hamas leaders' fate is unknown, it is clear that the United States is unhappy with Tuesday’s strike and that Qatar will distance itself from mediating a Gaza ceasefire deal.

In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense

JACQUELINE PENNEY/AFPTV/AFP via Getty Images

Live Updates

Israeli airstrikes target Hamas leadership in Qatar's Doha

The strikes come just a day after Qatari authorities engaged with Hamas officials to press for a response to a US-backed ceasefire and hostage exchange proposal.

WANG ZHAO/AFP via Getty Images

Qataris hail Chinese robotaxis as Gulf embraces driverless cars

Three Chinese companies have publicly announced plans to roll out the autonomous vehicles in the Gulf.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi meets with Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani in Doha, Sept. 4, 2025.

Iran FM, Qatar emir meet as Doha holds talks with IAEA over Iran sanctions

The visit is Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi’s first to Qatar since Iran attacked US forces at the Al Udeid base.

Saudi companies signed agreements with Syria’s Ministry of Energy during the kingdom’s participation in the Damascus International Fair in Damascus, on Aug. 28, 2025.

ACWA Power, TAQA among Saudi firms backing Syria's energy comeback

Some 14 years of civil war have wiped at least $800 billion from the country’s gross domestic product, according to UN figures.

From Kuwait to Turkey, why are countries cracking down on Roblox?

The fast-growing gaming platform has been banned in countries including China, Iran, Oman, Qatar, and Turkey.

Botswana Qatar

Qatari royal expands Africa push with $12B in Botswana after $39B in DRC, Zambia

A Qatari delegation began a tour of 10 African countries on Aug. 13 in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo, to explore investment opportunities.

Tents housing displaced Palestinians line a street in Gaza City, Aug. 18, 2025.

Analysis

In accepting Gaza truce proposal, is Hamas setting 'trap' for boxed-in Netanyahu?

Is Hamas really hoping that Israel rejects a deal and goes ahead with the Gaza City offensive, resulting in its further international isolation?

In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense