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Gulf

Saudi Arabia Welcomes US Peace Plan for Gaza

Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud chairing the Cabinet session held in Riyadh on Tuesday (SPA).
Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud chairing the Cabinet session held in Riyadh on Tuesday (SPA).
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Saudi Arabia Welcomes US Peace Plan for Gaza

Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud chairing the Cabinet session held in Riyadh on Tuesday (SPA).
Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud chairing the Cabinet session held in Riyadh on Tuesday (SPA).

The Saudi Cabinet welcomed the US administration’s announcement of US President Donald Trump’s comprehensive plan to end the conflict in the Gaza Strip, rebuild the strip, and facilitate the unrestricted delivery of humanitarian aid.

The Cabinet also welcomed the president’s declaration that he would not allow the annexation of the West Bank by Israel.

During Tuesday's session in Riyadh, chaired by Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, the Cabinet affirmed Saudi Arabia’s readiness to cooperate with the US to achieve a comprehensive agreement to halt the war in the Gaza Strip, ensure Israel’s complete withdrawal from the strip, and provide adequate, unrestricted humanitarian assistance.

The Cabinet emphasized that these efforts would support the pursuit of a just and comprehensive peace based on the two-state solution, guaranteeing the establishment of a Palestinian state within the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.

The session also reviewed the Kingdom’s efforts to increase the number of countries recognizing the State of Palestine, highlighting the growing international commitment to securing the right of the brotherly Palestinian people to self-determination.

In his statements to the Cabinet, the Crown Prince further expressed his thanks and appreciation to the leaders of brotherly and friendly countries for the sincere feelings they conveyed to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on the occasion of the 95th National Day.

He offered praise and gratitude to Allah Almighty for the blessings bestowed upon this blessed nation, including its stability, prosperity, and development, as well as the unprecedented achievements it has realized along its path of progress, SPA reported.

Notably, during the session, the Cabinet reviewed recent overall state affairs, with a particular focus on efforts to strengthen relations with countries worldwide. It commended the positive outcomes of Pakistani Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif’s visit to the Kingdom, during which the Strategic Mutual Defense Agreement was signed to enhance defense cooperation between the two brotherly nations and promote security and peace in the region and beyond.

In a statement to SPA following the session, Saudi Minister of Media Salman Al-Dossary emphasized the Cabinet's appreciation for the Saudi delegation's active participation in the 80th session of the UN General Assembly and the associated international meetings.

The minister stated that the Cabinet expressed appreciation for the election of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to the Board of Governors of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). This election reflects the international community's confidence in the Kingdom's proactive role and its ongoing efforts to enhance cooperation in this field, promoting global development and peace.

The Cabinet also recognized the Kingdom's election to the Council of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), having secured 175 out of 184 votes, which reflects the member states’ recognition of the Kingdom’s leadership and contributions in aviation.

It affirmed that the inclusion of the Imam Turki bin Abdullah Royal Reserve in UNESCO's Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Program underscores the Kingdom's commitment to protecting natural environments and advancing biodiversity conservation and sustainable development.

Additionally, the Cabinet praised the outcomes of the second edition of the Global Infrastructure Forum held in Riyadh, noting the extensive participation from various countries and the signing of agreements to foster a sustainable future in this vital sector, enhancing the quality of life and urban landscapes.

The meeting also reviewed developments in the water sector across all regions of the Kingdom, including the inauguration and foundation laying of 122 environmental, water, and agriculture projects in Eastern Region, with investments exceeding SAR28.8 billion. These projects aim to achieve environmental and water sustainability while strengthening production, storage, distribution, treatment, and water quality systems.

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Gulf

Qatar Says Iran Missile Struck Tanker in Its Waters

28 March 2026, Qatar, Doha: A view of the West Bay skyline in Doha with its lights switched off during Earth Hour. (dpa)
28 March 2026, Qatar, Doha: A view of the West Bay skyline in Doha with its lights switched off during Earth Hour. (dpa)
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Qatar Says Iran Missile Struck Tanker in Its Waters

28 March 2026, Qatar, Doha: A view of the West Bay skyline in Doha with its lights switched off during Earth Hour. (dpa)
28 March 2026, Qatar, Doha: A view of the West Bay skyline in Doha with its lights switched off during Earth Hour. (dpa)

Qatar said on Wednesday that a tanker leased to its state-owned energy company was struck by an Iranian missile in the Gulf country's territorial waters.

"Qatar was targeted... by three cruise missiles launched from Iran," the Defense Ministry said in a statement.

Qatar's military "intercepted two of the cruise missiles, while the third missile struck an oil tanker leased to QatarEnergy in Qatar's territorial waters," it said.

"Coordination was established with relevant authorities to evacuate the tanker, which had 21 crew members on board, without any human casualties," the ministry added.

Gulf countries have faced repeated drone and missile salvos from Iran over the past month in response to US and Israeli strikes that began at the end of February.

Iran has targeted hydrocarbon infrastructure in the oil-rich Gulf nations as well as shipping, effectively closing the strategic Strait of Hormuz, through which one-fifth of global oil usually passes.

QatarEnergy said in a statement the Aqua 1, a fuel oil tanker, had been "the subject of a missile attack in the northern territorial waters of the State of Qatar in the early morning hours of Wednesday".

It confirmed no crew members had been injured and there was "no impact on the environment as a result of this incident".

Gulf

Gulf Countries Demand to Be Part of Any Regional Security Agreement

Damage to the Kuwait-flagged Al-Salmi crude oil tanker, following a reported strike, amid the US-Israeli conflict with Iran, March 31, 2026. (Kuwait Petroleum Corporation / Reuters)
Damage to the Kuwait-flagged Al-Salmi crude oil tanker, following a reported strike, amid the US-Israeli conflict with Iran, March 31, 2026. (Kuwait Petroleum Corporation / Reuters)
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Gulf Countries Demand to Be Part of Any Regional Security Agreement

Damage to the Kuwait-flagged Al-Salmi crude oil tanker, following a reported strike, amid the US-Israeli conflict with Iran, March 31, 2026. (Kuwait Petroleum Corporation / Reuters)
Damage to the Kuwait-flagged Al-Salmi crude oil tanker, following a reported strike, amid the US-Israeli conflict with Iran, March 31, 2026. (Kuwait Petroleum Corporation / Reuters)

Defenses across the Gulf continued on Wednesday to shoot down dozens of rockets and drones from Iran targeting civilian and private property in blatant violation of international law and the United Nations Charter.

Amid the tensions, Gulf countries stressed on Tuesday the need for them to be part of any future security agreement covering the region. They underlined that their regional security is integral to any future arrangements.

Qatar’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Majed al-Ansari said Gulf countries share a united stance that calls for ending the escalation.

They are in agreement on the need to be main party to any agreement struck in the region, he told a press briefing.

The countries are in constant contact with each other to serve everyone’s interests, he went on to say.

"Several red lines have been crossed in this war, especially with the targeting of infrastructure and nuclear sites. Gulf leaders are working on ending the war," he stated.

He added that Qatar supports the Pakistan-led mediation to end the conflict, hoping they would lead to peace and de-escalation.

Al-Ansari also warned of the danger against marine navigation in the Gulf, saying the closure of the Hormuz Strait impacts global energy security.

He called against attacks on energy infrastructure, revealing: "We are acting with international partners over Hormuz and we are committed to the security of energy and supply chains."

Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani discussed Hormuz during a recent visit to Washington.

Moreover, Doha rejects attempts to drag it into the conflict, said al-Ansari, while also expressing concern over the possibility of an American ground operation in Iran.

On the ground, Saudi defenses intercepted and destroyed seven ballistic missiles fired at Riyadh and one fired at the Eastern Region.

Twelve drones were also destroyed on Tuesday, said Defense Ministry spokesman Turki al-Malki.

The civil defense, meanwhile, said shrapnel from a downed drone wounded two people and damaged three houses and several vehicles in the Al-Kharj region.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah activated a special operations room to facilitate the arrival of pilgrims amid the war. Efforts will aim to resolve all challenges and offer services to pilgrims arriving from outside the Kingdom, with cooperation being carried out between the General Authority of Civil Aviation and concerned parties to ensure their safety.

Minister of Hajj and Umrah Dr. Tawfig Al-Rabiah made the announcement during an Umrah forum in Madinah. He underlined the readiness of the ministry and concerned parties to handle emergencies amid the developments in the region.

UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani meet in Abu Dhabi. (WAM)

In Kuwait, a drone attack by Iran and its allies hit a fuel tank at Kuwait International Airport, sparking a fire, authorities said.

The state-run KUNA news agency said the attack early Wednesday sparked a "large fire" at the airport.

It said there were no immediate injuries from the attack and firefighters were working to control the blaze.

Kuwait International Airport has been attacked before by Iran during the war. The KUNA report suggested the attack may have been launched by Iranian-supported militias in Iraq with Tehran’s support.

The armed forces destroyed five hostile ballistic missiles and seven drones on Tuesday.

In another strike, Bahrain said early on Wednesday morning that it was working to extinguish a fire at a business facility that resulted from an Iranian attack.

A Bangladeshi national was killed by falling shrapnel after a drone interception in the United Arab Emirates, the official WAM news agency said on Wednesday.

"Shrapnel falling from the interception of a drone... resulted in the killing of a person of Bangladeshi nationality," WAM posted on X, adding that the incident happened in Fujairah.

On Tuesday, UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani held talks on regional developments in Abu Dhabi.

They tackled the impact of the war on the region, world and the global economy.

They discussed the terrorist Iranian attacks against the Gulf and that are targeting civilians and civilian infrastructure.

Gulf

4 People Injured after Debris Falls on South Dubai Houses

Lightning illuminates the sky over Dubai during a thunderstorm on March 26, 2026. (Photo by FADEL SENNA / AFP)
Lightning illuminates the sky over Dubai during a thunderstorm on March 26, 2026. (Photo by FADEL SENNA / AFP)
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4 People Injured after Debris Falls on South Dubai Houses

Lightning illuminates the sky over Dubai during a thunderstorm on March 26, 2026. (Photo by FADEL SENNA / AFP)
Lightning illuminates the sky over Dubai during a thunderstorm on March 26, 2026. (Photo by FADEL SENNA / AFP)

Four people were injured by debris from an interception that fell on residential houses in southern Dubai Tuesday, authorities said.

"Authorities confirm that they are responding to an incident caused by debris from a successful interception that fell on residential houses in southern Dubai, resulting in property damage and minor injuries to four Asian nationals," the Dubai Media Office said on X.