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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

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo(R) welcomes Qatars Deputy Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani to launch the third annual US-Qatar Strategic Dialogue at the State Department in Washington, DC on September 14, 2020. (Photo by ERIN SCOTT / POOL / AFP) (Photo by ERIN SCOTT/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

The Takeaway: Qatari official sees encouraging signs in diplomacy to end GCC divisions

Meshal Al-Thani, Qatar’s Ambassador to the United States, describes three steps for ‘quick win’ to help heal Gulf rift.

Qatari Defense Minister Khalid bin Muhammad al-Attiah (C) waits for the arrival of his Turkish counterpart to meet with Prime Minister of Libya's UN-recognised Government of National Accord (GNA) Fayez al-Sarraj (unseen) in the capital Tripoli, on August 17, 2020. (Photo by - / AFP) (Photo by -/AFP via Getty Images)

Egypt accuses Qatar of undermining peace talks via support for Libyan government

Qatar has signed an agreement with the Tripoli-based Libyan government to build and train military forces in what some see as an attempt to undermine the current progress toward a political solution in Libya.

Turkish government voices support for Afghan peace process

The head of Afghanistan's peace negotiations with the Taliban visited Ankara on Thursday as talks continue in Doha.

National Security Advisor Robert O'Brien attends a briefing on Enhanced Narcotics Operations at the US Southern Command in Doral, Florida, on July 10, 2020. (Photo by SAUL LOEB / AFP) (Photo by SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty Images)

Trump's national security adviser says ending Gulf rift 'priority'

Qatar has been under a land, sea and air blockade by four regional states since 2017.

This picture taken December 12, 2019 shows (L) a view of the exchange board at the Stock Exchange Market (Tadawul) bourse in Riyadh displaying Aramco shares on the second day of their trading, along with a poster depicting Saudi Arabia's founder King Abdulaziz ibn Saud (C), his son and current King Salman bin Abdulaziz (R), and the latter's son Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (L) on display. - Energy giant Saudi Aramco's market value soared above $2 trillion as its share price surged again on its second da

Gulf oil exporters look past Biden’s green energy platform

The possible return of Iranian crude to global markets is a short-term concern for Gulf oil producers, which expect to be the last man standing in a decarbonizing world.

LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 22: Travellers exit via the International Arrival gate at Heathrow Airport Terminal 2 on August 22, 2020 in London, England. As of Saturday morning at 4am, travellers arriving in England from Austria, Croatia, and Trinidad and Tobago were required to quarantine themselves for 14 days. At the same time, travellers from Portugal were no longer required to quarantine. (Photo by Hollie Adams/Getty Images)

UK opens 'travel corridor' to Gulf states

Visitors to the United Kingdom from Bahrain, Qatar and the UAE will not need to isolate upon arrival come Saturday.

United Arab Emirates

Fire engines spray water to greet a plane of Qatar Airways from Doha as it landed at Berlin's airport "Berlin Brandenburg Airport Willy Brandt", during the opening of the southern runway of the airport, in Schoenefeld, southeast of Berlin, on November 4, 2020. - Passenger flights are to began landing on October 31, 2020 at Berlin's new international airport, a moment many Germans thought they might never see after years of embarrassing delays and spiralling costs. (Photo by Odd ANDERSEN / AFP) (Photo by ODD

Qatar Airways resumes flights to Algiers

The Doha-based airline is also increasing the number of its weekly flights to New York and Chicago.

Qatar reveals disturbing details and expresses 'regret' regarding strip-search of women at airport

The Gulf state is under fire after women headed to Australia said they were forcibly searched in an attempt to see whether they had recently given birth to a newborn found alive in a trash can at Doha's airport.

Iranian women walk past a Qatar Airways branch in the capital Tehran on June 6, 2017.
A ban on Qatari flights imposed by Saudi Arabia and its allies took effect as first efforts were made to resolve the biggest feud to hit the Arab world in years. Saudi Arabia and allies including Egypt, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain cut diplomatic ties and transport links with Qatar on Monday, accusing the Gulf state of supporting extremism.
/ AFP PHOTO / ATTA KENARE (Photo credit should read ATTA KENARE/AFP

Australia condemns intrusive search of women before Qatar Airways flight

Authorities in Doha reportedly searched women's private parts without consent after an abandoned newborn was discovered before a flight to Sydney.

This picture taken on September 1, 2020 shows a view of the interior of a station of the Doha Metro in Qatar's capital, as the Gulf country resumes bus and rail services for the first time since March with reduced capacity due to the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic. (Photo by KARIM JAAFAR / AFP) (Photo by KARIM JAAFAR/AFP via Getty Images)

Qatar extends mandatory travel quarantine through Dec. 31

Travelers from "low-risk countries" must quarantine for at least seven days upon arrival.

Two F-35s (L and R) and two F-18s fly overhead during the "Salute to America" Fourth of July event at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, DC, July 4, 2019. (Photo by MANDEL NGAN / AFP) (Photo credit should read MANDEL NGAN/AFP via Getty Images)

Intel: Qatar requested to buy F-35

Qatar Airways resumes flights to three South African cities

The Doha-based airline is nearing the number of destinations it offered services to before the coronavirus crisis.