Doha, Qatar: Oil soared above $100 and stocks sank Thursday as Iran's fresh attempts to hit supplies in the Middle East and threats to bring down the global economy overshadowed a record release of strategic crude by the International Energy Agency, reported AFP.
It stated that the IEA said Wednesday that its members had agreed to unlock 400 million barrels of oil from their reserves -- their largest release ever.
As Iran steps up attempts to disrupt supplies across the region, two tankers in Iraqi waters were reported struck Thursday. Baghdad had already said it was cutting output because of the crisis, with Kuwait and Saudi Arabia following suit.
Also Thursday, Bahrain reported Iran had carried out an attack on fuel tanks in the country, while Saudi Arabia said it had intercepted drones headed to Shaybah oil field and drones struck fuel tanks at Oman's Salalah port, where operations were subsequently suspended.
And the UK maritime agency said in an alert Thursday that a container ship near the United Arab Emirates was hit by an "unknown projectile".
Stay tuned for more updates
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10:00pm Doha Time
Qatar intercepts 2 ballistic missiles, one cruise missile, several drones from Iran on Thursday
The Qatari Ministry of Defense announced that the State of Qatar was subjected to an attack involving 2 ballistic missiles, one cruise missile, and a number of drones launched from the Islamic Republic of Iran on Thursday. Read more
9:55pm Doha Time
UAE air defenses engaged 278 ballistic missiles, 1,540 UAVs, 15 cruise missiles since start of 'Iranian aggression'
The UAE air defense systems on Thursday, March 12, engaged 10 ballistic missiles and 26 UAVs launched from Iran, the UAE Ministry of Defense said in a statement. Read more
9:45pm Doha Time
Oman announces downing of drone in country's north, no casualties reported
The Sultanate of Oman announced Thursday evening the downing of a drone in the north of the country, with no casualties or material damage reported. Read more
9:30pm Doha Time
UAE lets expired residency holders return without entry permit
The Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security in the United Arab Emirates has announced a temporary measure allowing residents abroad with expired residency permits to return without a new entry permit. Read more
8:45pm Doha Time
Saudi Arabia intercepts, destroys drone headed toward Shaybah Oil Field
The Saudi Ministry of Defense announced this evening that it had intercepted and destroyed a drone in the Rub' al Khali desert. Read more
8:14pm Doha Time
Qatar Tourism allows hotels, tourism establishments to resume indoor activities
Hotel and tourism establishments have been permitted to resume suspended activities, provided they are conducted indoors and in compliance with safety and security procedures, according to a circular issued by Qatar Tourism to managers and operators. Read more
7:45pm Doha Time
Qatar Airways transports nearly 300 tonnes of essential goods to Qatar since beginning of March
Qatar Airways announced that since the beginning of March it has made the necessary arrangements to ensure the arrival of essential goods to the State of Qatar, with approximately 300 tons of essential goods being transported to the country, including health medicines, baby milk, fresh foods such as meat, fish, fruits and vegetables, medical equipment and other essential food products. Read more
7:30pm Doha Time
MoI stresses importance of maintaining psychological balance
Ministry of Interior Qatar stresses the importance of maintaining psychological balance, saying inner calm helps people deal with developments calmly and contributes to public safety.
7:24pm Doha Time
Iraq to maintain crude oil production at 1.4 Million barrels per day
Iraqi Oil Minister Hayan Abdul Ghani announced that Iraq will continue producing crude oil at a level of approximately 1.4 million barrels per day. Read more
7:20pm Doha Time
Two explosive-laden drones target Iraqi Army camp in Nineveh province
A security source announced today that an Iraqi army camp in Nineveh province was attacked by two explosive-laden drones. Read more
6:50pm Doha Time
Amir receives telephone call from President of Uganda
The Amir, HH Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani received a phone call today from HE Yoweri Museveni, President of the Republic of Uganda. Read more
6:42pm Doha Time
Arab League condemns Iranian targeting of Salalah Port in Oman
The Arab League condemned in the strongest terms on Thursday the blatant Iranian aggression that targeted the strategic port of Salalah in the Sultanate of Oman with drones, leading to damage to a number of fuel tanks inside the port. Read more
6:40pm Doha Time
Prime Minister receives phone call from Canadian Foreign Minister
HE Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, received a phone call from HE Anita Anand, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Canada. Read more
6:36pm Doha Time
Prime Minister receives phone call from Minister of Foreign Affairs, European Union, Cooperation in Spain
Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, HE Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, received a phone call from Minister of Foreign Affairs, the European Union and Cooperation in the Kingdom of Spain, HE José Manuel Albares. Read more
6:32pm Doha Time
Air France-KLM hikes long-haul ticket prices
Air France-KLM said Thursday it is raising long-haul ticket prices due to soaring jet fuel prices caused by the Middle East conflict.
"The current geopolitical situation in the Middle East has led to a sudden and significant increase in fuel prices, particularly kerosene. As a result, Air France and KLM are increasing their fares on long-haul flights for tickets issued from Wednesday, March 11, 2026," the group said in a statement, confirming a report in financial daily Les Echos. Read more
5:24pm Doha Time
Middle East escalation causes biggest disruption to global oil supplies: IEA
The International Energy Agency (IEA) announced that Gulf countries are currently cutting their oil production by at least 10 million barrels per day amid escalating military tensions in the Middle East, causing the largest disruption to global oil supplies in history. Read more
5:38pm Doha Time
Deputy Prime Minister receives phone call from Hungarian Minister of Defense
Deputy Prime Minister & Minister of State for Defense Affairs, HE Sheikh Saud bin Abdulrahman bin Hassan Al-Thani, received a phone call this Thursday evening from the Minister of Defense of Hungary, HE Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky. Read more
5:24pm Doha Time
Turkiye deploys Patriot Missile System amid rising tensions
Turkiye's Ministry of Defense announced on Thursday the deployment of a Patriot missile system in Malatya province to strengthen the country's air defense in eastern regions. Read more
5:16pm Doha Time
Power restored to areas in Kuwait affected by falling debris
Kuwait Ministry of Electricity, Water and Renewable Energy announced on Thursday restoration of electricity to several areas affected by the outage of six power transmission lines, caused by falling debris following the interception of several Iranian drones. Read more
4:54pm Doha Time
FAQ: Hamad International Airport answers key questions on limited repatriation flights
Hamad International Airport answers frequently asked questions about the limited passenger repatriation flights being operated to and from Doha.
4:50pm Doha Time
Bahrain authorities arrest four nationals on charges of spying for IRGC
Bahrain's Ministry of Interior announced Thursday four people had been arrested on charges of spying for Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), according to a ministry statement on Thursday. The statement said the four suspects - three men and a woman - are Bahraini nationals, adding that a fifth suspect had fled the country. Read more
Four Bahrainis arrested for espionage activities with Iranian Revolutionary Guardhttps://t.co/kKGARRbnaC
— Ministry of Interior (@moi_bahrain) March 12, 2026
4:00pm Doha Time
Shrapnel hit sparked fire on Hapag-Lloyd ship in Gulf: company
Berlin: German shipowners Hapag-Lloyd said Thursday that one of their cargo vessels in the Gulf caught fire after being "hit with shrapnel" overnight, adding that no one was injured.
A company spokesman told AFP that "we don't know where (the debris) came from, whether it was a rocket or a drone" or another munition. He said "the fire has been put out and the crew is unharmed".
2:54pm Doha Time
South Korea imposes fuel price cap to curb Mideast conflict shock
South Korea said Thursday a fuel price cap would take effect from midnight to mitigate pressure on the country's energy supply during the Mideast conflict. The country is heavily reliant on energy imports, including shipments through the Strait of Hormuz, and has said it will try to find alternatives to secure supplies. It marks the first such measure introduced in Asia's fourth-largest economy since 1997. Read more
People fill up their cars at a petrol station in Seoul on March 9, 2026. Photo by JUNG YEON-JE / AFP
2:03pm Doha Time
Armed forces intercept missile attack on Qatar
The Ministry of Defense of State of Qatar announced that armed forces intercepted missile attack which targeted State of Qatar.
1:52pm Doha Time
Another alert message was sent out to all phones in Qatar stating that the threat has been eliminated and the situation has returned to normal.
1:40pm Doha Time
National Emergency Alert raises threat level in Qatar
An emergency alert stating that the threat level is elevated was sent out to all phones in Qatar.
12:10pm Doha Time
Indian crew member killed on oil tanker attacked near Basra
Doha, Qatar: One Indian crew member on a US-owned crude oil tanker was killed when it was attacked yesterday, March 11, 2026.
The Indian Embassy in Baghdad said this in a social media post adding that the tanker Safesea Vishnu was sailing under the Marshall Islands flag when it was attacked near Basra, Iraq.
It further said that the remaining 15 Indian crew have since been evacuated to a safe place.
The Embassy of India Baghdad said that it is in regular contact with Iraqi authorities, rescued Indian sailors and was offering all possible assistance.
11:46am Doha Time
‘Minor drone incident’ in Dubai
Authorities in Dubai are “responding to a minor drone incident in the Al Bada’a area”, its media office said on X, adding that “no injuries have been reported”.
Al Jazeera said this comes after there were reports of loud explosions in the city that has frequently been targeted by drones since the start of the regional tension.
11:41am Doha Time
Kuwait airport hit by drones
Kuwait International Airport was hit by several drones, the country’s national news agency is reporting, citing civil aviation authorities.
The report added that the attack resulted in “material damage only”, Al Jazeera said
11:10am Doha Time
‘Govt and people of Sweden stand firmly behind Qatar, other Gulf states’
Sweden has reaffirmed its strong support for and solidarity with Qatar amid the evolving geopolitical situation in the region, with senior Swedish leaders holding high-level discussions with their Qatari counterparts, and the Swedish Embassy in Doha working around the clock to assist its community and travellers.
In an exclusive interview with The Peninsula on Wednesday, Ambassador of Sweden to Qatar H E Gautam Bhattacharyya said the moment underscores the depth of the bilateral partnership. “Moments like these show the strength of true friendship. Sweden deeply values its close relationship with Qatar, and we stand together in support of the stability, safety and well-being of our communities,” he said. Read more
10:59am Doha Time
Explosions heard in downtown Dubai: AFP correspondent
Explosions were heard in downtown Dubai, one very loud, an AFP correspondent reported on Thursday, as Iran continued its campaign against the Gulf in response to US-Israeli attacks.
The correspondent saw small clouds of smoke rise above a residential neighbourhood.
10:30am Doha Time
GCO explains dangers of filming incident sites
Qatar’s Government Communications Office, GCO, has renewed warnings against filming or approaching sites of security incidents, stressing that such actions is a risk to public safety.
GCO said in a post on X that filming videos during incidents can compromise public safety by revealing security details such as military coordinates, the timing of movements and gatherings, as well as roads, entrances and exits. Read more
10:15am Doha Time
Saudi Arabia intercepts drones heading towards Shaybah oilfield
Saudi Arabia’s Defence Ministry says three drones heading towards its Shaybah oil field have been “intercepted and destroyed”.
This is just the latest drone attack targeting Shaybah that Riyadh claims to have foiled today.
The oilfield has the capacity to produce 1 million barrels of crude a day, according to Saudi Aramco.
10:13am Doha Time
Kuwait power lines hit by drone debris after interceptions
Six electricity transmission lines in Kuwait went out of service after debris from intercepted drones fell on the infrastructure, the country’s Electricity Ministry said.
Despite the incident, authorities said the overall supply of electricity and water across the country remains stable, Al Jazeera reports.
10am Doha Time
QSL resumes as title race and top-four battle heat up
The Qatar Stars League (QSL) resumes today with Round 18 matches after a brief suspension caused by regional tensions, as teams return to action for the decisive phase of the season.
The pause resulted in the postponement of two Round 17 fixtures - Qatar SC vs Al Shamal and Al Arabi vs Al Sailiya - which have now been rescheduled for April 7.
Three matches will be played today with simultaneous kick-offs at 9:30pm, with Ramadan timings remaining unchanged. Read more
9:30am Doha Time
IN PHOTOS: Massive blaze at fuel tank in Bahrain after Iranian attack
Sharing photos from fire that broke out in the fuel tanks of one of the facilities in Muharraq Governorate, Bahrain's Ministry of Interior said that the Civil Defence teams are continuing their efforts to control the fire.
The Ministry in another post told the residents in three parts of Muharraq to "remain in their homes, close windows and ventilation openings as precaution against potential effects of smokes from the fire currently being fought."
