Doha, Qatar: As the Iran-US war enters day 20, the agression against GCC countries has overnight seen huge escalation with energy sites across UAE, Saudi Arabia and Qatar being attacked on Wednesday and Thursday, March 18 and 19, 2026.
Saudi Arabia stated that two of its refineries were attacked with Riyadh saying, "the little trust that remained in Iran has been completely shattered”.
Qatar also ordered Iranian Iranian Embassy military and security attachés 'persona non grata', requesting them to leave the country within a maximum period of 24 hours on Wednesday.
Stay tuned for more live updates:
10:10pm Doha Time
MOCI issues circular to factory, commercial establishment owners on electronic Integration, stock registration
The Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MOCI) issued a circular to factory owners and commercial establishments regarding electronic integration and the registration of stock quantities, sales, and services, as part of efforts to enhance market oversight efficiency and further develop the electronic monitoring system. Read more
10:02pm Doha Time
Saudi Defense Ministry announces interception, destruction of two drones in eastern province
The Saudi Ministry of Defense announced Thursday, through its official spokesperson, Major General Turki Al Maliki, that Saudi air defenses intercepted and destroyed two drones in the Eastern Province. Read more
9:55pm Doha Time
Prime Minister meets Turkish Foreign Minister
The Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, HE Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani met in Doha on Thursday with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Turkiye, HE Hakan Fidan. Read more
9:28pm Doha Time
Iranian attacks disrupted 17 percent of gas export capacity: Minister of State for Energy Affairs
The Minister of State for Energy Affairs, Managing Director and CEO of QatarEnergy, HE Eng. Saad bin Sherida Al Kaabi has revealed that Iranian attacks disrupted 17 percent of Qatar's liquefied natural gas (LNG) export capacity, causing losses estimated at approximately USD 20 billion in annual revenue and threatening supplies to Europe and Asia. Read more
9:05pm Doha Time
Deputy Prime Minister meets Turkish Foreign Minister
HE Sheikh Saud bin Abdulrahman bin Hassan Al-Thani, the Deputy Prime Minister & Minister of State for Defense Affairs met in his office Thursday, with HE Hakan Fidan, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Turkey, during his visit to the country. Read more
8:25pm Doha Time
Amir receives phone call from King of Bahrain
The Amir HH Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani received Thursday a phone call from HM King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa of the Kingdom of Bahrain. Read more
8:07pm Doha Time
Amir receives phone call from King of Spain
The Amir HH Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani received a phone call today from HM King Felipe VI of the Kingdom of Spain. Read more
7:48pm Doha Time
Amir receives phone call from Indian Prime Minister
The Amir HH Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani received a telephone call today from HE Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of the Republic of India. Read more
7:27pm Doha Time
World Trade Organization warns Middle East conflict threatens global food security
The World Trade Organization (WTO) warned Thursday that the conflict in the Middle East region poses a direct threat to global food security, urging countries to keep international supply chains open. Read more
7:04pm Doha Time
Amir receives phone call from King of Jordan
The Amir HH Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani received a phone call today from HM King Abdullah II ibn Al Hussein of the sisterly Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. Read more
7:01pm Doha Time
UAE air defenses engage 7 ballistic missiles, 15 drones
The United Arab Emirates' Ministry of Defense announced Thursday that its air defenses intercepted seven ballistic missiles and 15 drones launched from Iran. Read more
6:50pm Doha Time
Kuwait air defense intercepts hostile drones over their airspace
The Kuwaiti Armed Forces reported that its air defense systems detected a total of 18 hostile drones over the country’s airspace in the past 24 hours. Read more
6:13pm Doha Time
Amir receives phone call from UK Prime Minister
The Amir, HH Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, received a phone call Thursday from HE Keir Starmer, Prime Minister of the friendly United Kingdom. Read more
6:10pm Doha Time
Amir meets Turkiye's Foreign Minister
The Amir HH Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani met Thursday in his office at Lusail Palace with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Turkiye, HE Hakan Fidan. Read more
5:35pm Doha Time
Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs HE Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani holds a joint press conference today, March 19, 2026 with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Türkiye HE Hakan Fidan.
Qatar’s Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani has just spoken at a press conference alongside Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan.
Here are some of his key statements:
- I affirmed with the Turkish Foreign Minister our condemnation of Iran's aggression and our demand for its immediate cessation: Prime Minister
- The region is witnessing an unprecedented escalation and Iranian attacks on countries in the region: Prime Minister
- Iran's claim that it is targeting US bases is rejected and unjustified: Prime Minister
- Hostilities and escalating the war will only lead to further destabilization of the region: Prime Minister
- Iran's attack on Ras Laffan will have repercussions on energy supplies: Prime Minister
- We emphasize the importance of an immediate halt to Iranian attacks on countries in the region: Prime Minister
- We believe in diplomacy as the first and last solution to conflicts: Prime Minister
- We call for rebuilding the trust that has been shattered by Iran's hostile actions against the countries of the region: Prime Minister
The Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Türkiye HE Hakan Fidan also spoke at the press conference:
Here are some of his key remarks:
- We have affirmed our support for the countries in the region that are under attack and call for a diplomatic solution: Turkish Foreign Minister
- We reject the targeting of our neighbors, and our position is that we will not allow Israel to cover up its crimes: Turkish Foreign Minister
- Our position is to keep the dialogue open in order to establish peace: Turkish Foreign Minister
4:53pm Doha Time
Amir and Egyptian President discuss regional developments
The Amir HH Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani met with HE Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, President of the Arab Republic of Egypt, at the Amiri Terminal of Hamad International Airport. They discussed the latest developments in the region in light of the ongoing Iranian aggression against Qatar and several other countries in the region. Read more
4:06pm Doha Time
The Ministry of Interior urged citizens and residents to stay mindful and follow preventive guidelines during Eid Al Fitr to ensure everyone’s safety.
3:37pm Doha Time
UK PM strongly condemns Iran strikes on Qatar gas hub
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer Thursday condemned "in the strongest terms" Iranian strikes on Qatar's main gas hub, the world's largest liquefied natural gas facility. "We are working towards a swift resolution to the situation in the Middle East, in the best interests of the British people," Starmer added in a post on X. Read here
I condemn in the strongest terms the overnight Iranian strike on a Qatari gas facility.
— Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) March 19, 2026
We are working towards a swift resolution to the situation in the Middle East, in the best interests of the British people – because there is no question that ending the war is the quickest…
3:30pm Doha Time
Qatar slams Iran maritime threats at International Maritime Organization Meeting
The State of Qatar has strongly condemned Iran's attacks and threats against commercial shipping and maritime infrastructure, particularly in the Strait of Hormuz, as a "clear violation" of international law and the principles of freedom of navigation. Read more
2:15 pm Doha Time
Civil Defence Council reviews air quality in Ras Laffan and Al Khor
The Civil Defence Council reviewed reports from the competent authorities and confirms that air quality indicators in areas near Ras Laffan Industrial City, Al Dhakhira, and Al Khor remain within normal levels.
This comes in the context of the Civil Defence Council's continuous oversight of developments in the overall situation, as well as the assessment of reports from the relevant authorities concerning the state of preparedness in several vital sectors. Read more
12:30pm Doha Time
Drone crashes at Saudi oil refinery at Red Sea port of Yanbu: Ministry
A drone crashed into the Saudi oil refinery Samref in the industrial zone of the Red Sea port of Yanbu, the defence ministry said, adding that a damage assessment was underway.
Earlier Thursday, the ministry said on X that it had intercepted a ballistic missile targeting the port.
The Samref refinery is owned by the Saudi state energy giant Aramco and the Mobil Yanbu Refining Company, a subsidiary of US company ExxonMobil.
12pm Doha Time
Drone attack causes limited fire at Kuwait Petroleum Corporation Refinery
Kuwait Petroleum Corporation (KPC) announced Thursday that one of the operational units at Mina Al Ahmadi Refinery, was targeted this morning by drone.
The company said in a statement that the attack led to a limited fire within the unit but caused no injuries. It added that emergency and rapid response teams were immediately deployed to the site, where the fire was contained in accordance with the highest approved safety standards.
The company said that the relevant authorities were closely monitoring the situation and that the situation was handled with exceptional speed.
10:25am Doha Time
Trump threatens to destroy Iran's largest gas field
US President Donald Trump threatened to "massively blow up" a vast Iranian gas field unless Tehran stops striking Qatari energy facilities, which sustained extensive damage Thursday.
Trump called in a social media post for strikes on both Iranian and Qatari energy sites to halt. Read more
9:49am Doha Time
Qatar Amir receives telephone call from French President
The Amir His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani received a telephone call from HE Emmanuel Macron, President of the friendly French Republic.
During the call, they discussed developments in the region, following the attack targeting Ras Laffan Industrial City, and its implications as a dangerous escalation that threatens regional security and stability, while undermining the security of global energy supplies. Read more
9:45am Doha Time
GCC, Arab, Islamic countries issue joint statement following consultative ministerial meeting on Iranian aggression
Their Highnesses, and Excellencies Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the State of Qatar, the Republic of Azerbaijan, the Kingdom of Bahrain, the Arab Republic of Egypt, the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, the State of Kuwait, the Republic of Lebanon, the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Syrian Arab Republic, the Republic of Turkiye, and the United Arab Emirates held a consultative ministerial meeting on Wednesday, March 18, 2026, in Riyadh, regarding the Iranian attacks.
The participants discussed the Iranian attacks on member states of the Gulf Cooperation Council, the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, the Republic of Azerbaijan, and the Republic of Turkiye. They affirmed their condemnation and denunciation of these deliberate Iranian attacks carried out using ballistic missiles and drones, which targeted residential areas and civilian infrastructure, including oil facilities, desalination plants, airports, residential compounds, and diplomatic premises. Read more
9:30am Doha Time
Saudi Arabia reserves 'right to take military actions' over Iran attacks: Foreign Minister
Saudi Arabia has not ruled out military action in response to repeated missile and drone attacks from Iran, Foreign Minister HE Prince Faisal bin Farhan said on Thursday.
Speaking to reporters following a meeting in Riyadh of foreign ministers from the region, Prince Faisal said that Iran "tries to pressure its neighbours" with attacks.
"The kingdom is not going to succumb to pressure, and on the contrary, this pressure will backfire... and certainly, as we have stated quite clearly, we have reserved the right to take military actions if deemed necessary," he said. Read more
9:20am Doha Time
Environment Ministry confirms radiation levels in Qatar fall within natural, safe thresholds
The Ministry of Environment and Climate Change (MECC) has confirmed that the radiation levels in the air and in the territorial waters of the State of Qatar fall within natural and safe thresholds. It added that all recorded readings don't indicate the existence of any signs of concern. Read more
8:55am Doha Time
Kuwait Air Defense responds to missile, drone threats
The Kuwaiti army said its air defences are “currently confronting hostile missile and drone attacks”, about an hour after the National Guard said it shot down several drones.
The army advised the public to adhere to “security and safety instructions” and said that any explosions heard are the result of interceptions.
7:05am Doha Time
Civil Defense contains all fires in Ras Laffan Industrial Area
The Civil defense has fully contained all fires in the Ras Laffan Industrial Area without recording any injuries.
The Ministry of Interior stated this in a social media post adding that the cooling and ssite-ecuring operations are continuing at the sites.
5am Doha Time
QatarEnergy confirms several LNG facilities subjected to missile attacks
QatarEnergy confirmed today that several of its Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) facilities were the subject of missile attacks early Thursday, March 19, 2026, causing sizable fires and further extensive damage.
4am Doha Time
Ballistic missile from Iran targets Ras Laffan Industrial City: Defense Ministry
The Ministry of Defense announced that the State of Qatar has been subjected to a ballistic missile attack from Iran, targeting Ras Laffan Industrial City.
The Ministry said this in an early morning post on Thursday, March 19, 2026, adding that the missile caused damages in the facility.
