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August 7, 2026

Doha 5:47 am

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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

Afghan refugees, fleeing the Afghan capital Kabul, exit an US air force plane upon their arrival at Pristina International airport near Pristina on Aug. 29, 2021.

After Afghanistan pullout, US pursues long-distance diplomacy from Qatar

Without a diplomatic presence on the ground in Kabul, the United States will engage with the Taliban from a remote mission in Doha.

WAKIL KOHSAR/AFP via Getty Images

Qatar in talks with Taliban, Turkey to reopen Kabul airport

Qatari Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani said there is “no clear indication” of when flights will resume at Hamid Karzai International Airport.

A Taliban fighter walks past a beauty salon with images of women defaced using spray paint in Shar-e-Naw in Kabul on Aug. 18, 2021.

Qatar calls on Taliban to respect women's rights

Qatar said that the gains women made under the previous Afghan government should not be undone by the Taliban, which is notorious for its treatment of women.

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Mark Milley (C) arrives at the US Capitol.

Pentagon defends Kabul drone strike as ‘righteous’

The rules of engagement were followed in the lead-up to a strike that killed 10 people, including children, the top general says.

Sgt. Jimmie Baker / US Army via Getty Images

Qatar to provide coronavirus vaccines for Afghan evacuees

COVID-19 tests and vaccines will be administered to Afghan evacuees who don't immediately depart for other flights, the Qatari Foreign Ministry has said.

Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani (C), clad in mask as part of COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic protocols, cheers during the Amir Cup final football match between al-Sadd and al-Arabi at Al-Rayyan Stadium in Al-Rayyan, Qatar, on Dec. 18, 2020.

Qatar names Saudi envoy as Gulf ties improve

Bandar Mohamed Abdullah al-Attiyah will serve as Qatar's first ambassador to Saudi Arabia since the 2017 Gulf row.

Qatari man votes 2015 municipal elections

Controversy in Qatar over electoral law’s exclusion of tribe

Seven people have been referred to prosecutors for “publishing fake news” regarding the Al Murrah tribe’s discontent with the regulations for Qatar’s upcoming election.

qatar airways plane and vaccine shipment

Qatar to resume tourist, family visas starting July 12

Both vaccinated and non-vaccinated visitors will be required to present a negative PCR test and certain travelers must quarantine upon arrival.

In this handout image supplied by Qatar 2022, this artist's impression represents Qatar Foundation Stadium. Qatar will host the FIFA World Cup in 2022.

Qatar to require World Cup spectators be fully vaccinated

The four-week World Cup tournament will hold all of its matches in full stadiums.

Qatati Minister of Finance

Qatar orders arrest of finance minister in corruption probe

A statement from Qatar's attorney general said Ali Shareef Al Emadi is suspected of misuse of public funds and abuse of power.

LNG powered ship

Qatar LNG expansion plan turns spotlight back on methane emissions

The natural gas industry is a major emitter of methane, a powerful greenhouse gas that receives less attention than carbon dioxide, despite having a much higher warming potential.

A man receives a dose of the coronavirus vaccine at the Qatar National Convention Center, Doha, Qatar, Feb. 18, 2021.

Qatar reimposes several COVID-19 restrictions

The government did not say exactly why it ordered the closures and capacity restrictions. Qatar has begun vaccinating people against the coronavirus and daily cases are relatively low, though increasing.