Arab Solidarity with Qatar After Iranian Missile Strike

Interceptor missiles are fired, after Iran's armed forces say they targeted the Al-Udeid base in a missile attack, as seen from Doha, Qatar, June 23, 2025. REUTERS/Stringer
Interceptor missiles are fired, after Iran's armed forces say they targeted the Al-Udeid base in a missile attack, as seen from Doha, Qatar, June 23, 2025. REUTERS/Stringer
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Arab Solidarity with Qatar After Iranian Missile Strike

Interceptor missiles are fired, after Iran's armed forces say they targeted the Al-Udeid base in a missile attack, as seen from Doha, Qatar, June 23, 2025. REUTERS/Stringer
Interceptor missiles are fired, after Iran's armed forces say they targeted the Al-Udeid base in a missile attack, as seen from Doha, Qatar, June 23, 2025. REUTERS/Stringer

In a unified show of Arab solidarity, several Gulf and regional nations strongly condemned Iran’s missile strike on Al-Udeid Air Base in Qatar, denouncing it as a flagrant violation of international law, regional sovereignty, and the principles of good neighborliness.

Saudi Arabia led the regional response, with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs issuing a sharply worded statement condemning the strike as an “unjustifiable and unacceptable act” that violated international norms. Riyadh reaffirmed its full support for Qatar, pledging to mobilize all available resources to assist its Gulf neighbor in any measures it deems necessary.

Bahrain echoed the Kingdom’s stance, condemning the IRGC’s aggression as a clear breach of Qatari sovereignty and airspace. Manama’s Foreign Ministry emphasized the “bond of brotherhood and blood” that ties Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states, urging restraint and peaceful resolution of disputes while affirming its unwavering support for Doha.

The United Arab Emirates condemned the attack in the strongest terms, calling it a blatant violation of Qatari sovereignty and a dangerous escalation. The UAE’s Foreign Ministry expressed full solidarity with Qatar and underscored the importance of protecting civilians and maintaining regional stability. It warned that continued military provocations could lead the region into dangerous and irreversible consequences.

For its part, Kuwait described the strike as a “grave breach” of Qatari airspace and sovereignty. The Foreign Ministry declared its total support for Qatar’s leadership and people, backing their right to respond appropriately to such an attack. Kuwait also offered to mobilize its full capabilities to support its Gulf partner.

Oman, while emphasizing its commitment to de-escalation, also denounced Iran’s strike as a violation of the sovereignty of a fellow GCC member. Muscat pointed to Israel’s earlier unlawful strike on Iranian territory as a trigger for the current escalation and warned that expanding the conflict would only lead to greater instability and humanitarian suffering.

Iraq expressed deep concern about the intensifying regional conflict. Its Foreign Ministry called for immediate restraint, warning that the Iranian strike marked a dangerous turning point that could draw more actors into an already volatile confrontation.

The Secretary-General of the GCC, Jassim Al-Budaiwi, issued a strong statement condemning the Iranian missile attack as a violation of Qatari sovereignty and a threat to the collective security of the Gulf states. He stressed that Qatar’s security is inseparable from that of the entire GCC and called on the international community and the UN Security Council to hold Iran accountable for its destabilizing actions.



Oil Spill off Oman Reportedly Reaches Mainland, Says UN Agency

A satellite image shows an oil spill off the coast of Oman, August 11, 2026. (European Union/Copernicus Sentinel-3/Handout via Reuters)
A satellite image shows an oil spill off the coast of Oman, August 11, 2026. (European Union/Copernicus Sentinel-3/Handout via Reuters)
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Oil Spill off Oman Reportedly Reaches Mainland, Says UN Agency

A satellite image shows an oil spill off the coast of Oman, August 11, 2026. (European Union/Copernicus Sentinel-3/Handout via Reuters)
A satellite image shows an oil spill off the coast of Oman, August 11, 2026. (European Union/Copernicus Sentinel-3/Handout via Reuters)

An oil spill from a tanker that ran aground off Oman's coast has reportedly begun reaching the mainland, as monsoon winds obstructs containment efforts, the United Nations' maritime agency said Wednesday.

An AFP investigation had earlier found that the ship had been stranded for weeks near Oman's al-Qibliyyah island after it was rocked by explosions.

"The International Maritime Organization (IMO) is closely monitoring the oil leakage from the crude oil tanker CAROLINE BEZENGI, which grounded off the coast of Oman on 30 June 2026 and is currently around 22 nautical miles offshore of Sharbithat, Oman," a spokesperson for the agency said.

"Oil is drifting offshore to the northeast of Al-Qibliyyah Island with some oil reported to be reaching the mainland," the spokesperson said, adding that "the seasonal monsoon has limited access to the vessel and delayed salvage operations".

The Oman News Agency (ONA) meanwhile quoted authorities as saying that "today's monitoring results showed that some beaches in the Ras Madrakah area were affected by oil pollution", on the sultanate's southeastern coast.

Oman on Monday said it was working to contain the spill, which had affected roughly 390 square kilometers (150 square miles), according to the most recent analysis from the country's environment agency.

The slick was concentrated around Oman's Hallaniyat archipelago off the country's southern coast, where a marine reserve was established last year to protect sensitive ecosystems home to diverse marine life, including rare sea turtles.

Omani authorities have not yet identified the cause of the spill. But British maritime security company Vanguard told AFP last week that the tanker was rocked by explosions in early June as it sailed off the coast of Yemen, causing water to enter several sections of the vessel.

Advocacy groups Greenpeace and PAX told AFP that the spill was on the verge of causing an "environmental disaster", saying the tanker was carrying around one million barrels of crude.

The ship is believed to be part of Russia's "shadow fleet", which Moscow uses to circumvent Western sanctions on its oil exports.

The fleet includes ageing vessels that have faced criticism over maintenance, insurance and safety standards.

Tankers have been frequently targeted in the Gulf region over recent months as the US exchanged fire with Iran and its allied proxies.


Saudi Foreign Minister Discusses Regional Developments with Egyptian Counterpart

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah in Moscow on July 4, 2025. (Reuters)
Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah in Moscow on July 4, 2025. (Reuters)
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Saudi Foreign Minister Discusses Regional Developments with Egyptian Counterpart

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah in Moscow on July 4, 2025. (Reuters)
Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah in Moscow on July 4, 2025. (Reuters)

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah received a phone call from Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Egyptian Expatriates of the Arab Republic of Egypt Dr. Badr Abdelatty, SPA reported.

During the call, they discussed the latest developments in the region and efforts to enhance its security and stability.


Kuwait Foils Terrorist Plot Targeting Vital Facility

Kuwait City (KUNA)
Kuwait City (KUNA)
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Kuwait Foils Terrorist Plot Targeting Vital Facility

Kuwait City (KUNA)
Kuwait City (KUNA)

Kuwait's Ministry of Interior announced Wednesday that it had foiled a terrorist plot targeting a vital facility in the country and arrested a Kuwaiti national affiliated with the terrorist organization ISIS before he could carry out the plot, following security monitoring and surveillance operations.

The ministry said in a statement that security investigations revealed that the suspect had received training in the manufacture of explosives and drones and had built a drone for use in carrying out his terrorist plot and targeting a vital facility in the country, SPA reported.

It said security authorities had taken the necessary legal measures against the suspect and referred him to the competent authorities to complete the investigation and take the measures prescribed by law.

The Ministry of Interior affirmed that its security agencies would continue to carry out proactive operations to monitor and counter any activities or plots that could threaten the country's security and stability. It stressed that it "will not tolerate anyone who seeks to undermine national security or the safety of citizens and residents."

The ministry stressed that security agencies would deal firmly with any suspicious activities within the framework of the law, reaffirming their continued efforts to thwart security threats before they develop into acts targeting the country's security and vital facilities.