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August 7, 2026

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Explainer

Qatar launches diamond exchange as Hormuz crisis chokes LNG exports

Qatar's new diamond exchange is an effort to diversify from the country's main exports, LNG and petroleum products, which have been severely cut as a result of the Iran war and the Strait of Hormuz crisis.

A ship sails off the coast of Ajman on July 10, 2026.

Interview

Why Strait of Hormuz no longer rattles oil markets as much: IMF

The fund's Middle East director, Jihad Azour, told Al-Monitor that the big Gulf energy producers now have more capacity to absorb the shock.

Jihad Azour

Jihad Azour

Director of the Middle East and Central Asia Department at the International Monetary Fund

Latest News

Oil soars more than 6% as Trump rules out Iran deal, threatens more strikes

A cargo ship is pictured off coast of the Khor Fakkan Container Terminal, the only natural deep-sea port in the region and one of the major container ports in Sharjah Emirate, along the Gulf of Oman on June 28, 2026.

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

A US Navy service member attends a vigil for Navy Corpsman Maxton "Max" W. Soviak at Edison Middle School in Berlin Heights, Ohio, Aug. 29, 2021. Soviak was killed during the Aug. 26 terrorist attack outside of Kabul Airport in Afghanistan along with 12 other American service members and more than 100 Afghans.

Taliban releases Afghan-American Naval reservist held in Afghanistan

US citizen Safi Rauf and his brother Anees Khalil were released to Qatar before traveling home to the United States.

AFP via Getty Images

How Russia demanding gas payment in rubles will affect the Middle East

Germany is considering buying gas from Qatar amid the war in Ukraine and the United States has been pushing the Gulf state to send more gas to Europe.

SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty Images

Saudi Arabia, Qatar raise repo rates while Turkey stays put

Central Banks in the Middle East are responding to the US Federal Reserve raising interest rates due to rising inflation.

(L to R) Mohamed Hamel, Secretary-General of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF) summit, Qatar's Energy Minister Saad Sherida al-Kaabi, and Egypt's Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources Tarek el-Molla give a joint press conference during the GECF summit in Qatar's capital Doha on Feb. 22, 2022.

Demand for natural gas up more than 20% in past decade

The Gas Exporting Countries Forum is convening in Qatar amid the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, which could have a major effect on Europe’s energy supply.

MOHD RASFAN/AFP via Getty Images

Qatar agrees with Taliban on resuming Afghanistan evacuations

Qatar was bestowed the status of major non-NATO US ally by President Joe Biden yesterday.

President Joe Biden meets with Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani in the Oval Office on Jan. 31, 2022, in Washington, DC.

Biden eyes Qatar as major non-NATO ally

The upgrade in ties comes as the United States is seeking Doha's help in supplying natural gas to Europe.

US President Joe Biden meets with Qatar Emir Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani, in the White House on Jan. 31, 2022, in Washington, DC.

Iran on the agenda as Qatar emir meets Biden

There is potential Doha could play a role in brokering a US-Iran prisoner exchanging following press reports of Iran-Qatar talks on the topic.

Norwegian journalists

Qatar releases two Norwegian journalists after detention

Qatari security forces detained two journalists working for Norway's state broadcaster whom Doha accused of trespassing on private property.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken delivers remarks following talks on the situation in Afghanistan.

Intel: Qatar to represent US diplomatic interests in Afghanistan

Qatar will act as the formal diplomatic messenger between Afghanistan's Taliban leaders and Washington.

Antonio Giovinazzi of Italy driving the (99) Alfa Romeo Racing C41 Ferrari during the Formula 1 Grand Prix at Sochi Autodrom on Sept. 26, 2021.

Qatar to host first Formula 1 Grand Prix in November

The Gulf country, which will make its Formula 1 debut in November, also inked a 10-year hosting deal.

A member of Taliban stands guard along a road in Kabul on Sept. 30, 2021.

Qatar says Taliban rights abuses 'very disappointing'

Qatari Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammad bin Abdulrahman Al Thani lamented the Taliban's "backward" steps.

WAKIL KOHSAR/AFP via Getty Images

US citizens on first Qatar Airways flight from Kabul since pullout

Qatar’s special envoy to Afghanistan said the Hamid Karzai International Airport is “fully up and running” and that another passenger flight will depart on Friday.