Drone attack sparks fire at Kuwaiti airport, tanker off Qatar hit as Iran strikes Gulf states

"Fuel tanks at Kuwait’s international airport were targeted by an Iranian drone in the latest round of attacks by Iran on Gulf States, Kuwait’s state news agency KUNA reported on Wednesday.
The attack sparked a large fire, and emergency teams who arrived at the site found material damage at the facility run by the Kuwait Aviation Fueling Company.
A tanker off Qatar was hit by two projectiles, one causing a fire that has since been extinguished and another remaining unexploded in the vessel's engine room." msn

Ukraine securing 10-year defense deals with Gulf states amid Iran war

"Ukraine is signing 10-year defense partnerships with three Gulf countries as the U.S.-Israeli

war on Iran enters its second month and shows no sign of slowing down.
President Volodymyr Zelensky signed an agreement with Qatar on March 28, the day after his visit to Saudi Arabia where he secured a deal with Riyadh. Another agreement with the UAE will be inked in the coming days, Zelensky told reporters at a press briefing during his visit to Qatar.
"The first priority is weapons — their production, exchange of experience, and the exchange of scarce resources that one country may have and another lacks," he said.
"During these 10 years, we will engage in co-production. We will build factories both in Ukraine and in these countries." KI

Trump vows to destroy Iran gas field; UAE intercepts threats

"Tensions are rapidly escalating across the Gulf after Iran warned of “uncontrollable consequences” following strikes on its South Pars gas field. The UAE activated air defenses against missiles and drones, while Qatar expelled Iranian officials and reported attacks on

energy sites. Saudi Arabia intercepted drones as regional leaders warn of widening conflict and threats to global energy security.
President Donald Trump threatened to destroy Iran's key South Pars gas field if there were further attacks against Qatar's main gas plant.
Trump confirmed on his Truth Social platform that Israel had struck the South Pars field but said the United States "knew nothing" of the attack, which spurred Iran to launch an attack on Qatar's Ras Laffan facility.
"NO MORE ATTACKS WILL BE MADE BY ISRAEL pertaining to this extremely important and valuable South Pars Field unless Iran unwisely decides to attack a very innocent, in this case, Qatar - In which instance the United States of America, with or without the help or consent of Israel, will massively blow up the entirety of the South Pars Gas Field at an amount of strength and power that Iran has never seen or witnessed before," the US president wrote." GulfNews

Iran Halts Gas Supply To Iraq After Attacks On Energy Assets

 "Iran says upstream oil and gas assets are under attack for first time since war began, readies

retaliatory action against oil/gas assets in Gulf area, including Qatar, Saudi Arabia, & UAE

Iraq reroutes some flows through Ceyhan Pipeline to Turkey.
Iran reiterates new rules in place for Hormuz transit as traffic remains de-minimus, sparking reports that "the blockade is now the worst disruption to oil flows ever..."
President Trump issues posts musing whether US should 'finish off' Iran,
Iran to Iraq gas flows halted following South Pars gas field attack." Zerohege

Zelensky orders development of support plan for Middle East allies hit by Iran strikes

"President Volodymyr Zelensky said on March 4 that he had ordered Ukraine's government to develop options to support Gulf countries facing Iranian drone and missile attacks.

"Our military has the necessary capabilities," Zelensky said. "Ukrainian experts will work on site, and teams are already negotiating this. We are ready to help protect lives, protect civilians."
Ukraine's offer comes as Middle Eastern countries report large-scale attacks involving Shahed-type attack drones — the same systems Russia has used extensively against Ukraine since 2022.
The Ukrainian president said he had spoken with leaders of the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Jordan, and Bahrain, and is preparing talks with Kuwait's leadership." KI

Saudi Arabia condemns Iran’s attacks on Gulf nations, offers all its capabilities in the fight against Tehran

"Saudi Arabia said it’s ready to put “all its capabilities” at its allies’ disposal, warning of

“grave consequences” if retaliatory Iranian strikes continue — sparking fears of a wider conflict in the Middle East.
It comes after the Islamic Republic launched a barrage of missiles on US military bases in Saudia Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, the UAE and Jordan — in retaliation for US and Israel military strikes against Tehran overnight.
“The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia condemns and denounces in strongest terms the blatant Iranian aggression,” the Saudi Arabia’s foreign ministry said on a statement on X." NYP

Iran hit empty US base in Bahrain

"Iran hit an empty quarter of a US military base in Bahrain, Bahraini political analyst Dr. Ahmed Alkhuzaie told The Jerusalem Post on Saturday after Reuters reported smoke billowing from the Juffair area housing on the US Naval base.

The state news agency later reported that Bahrain has successfully 'dealt with' missiles in its airspace.
The US Embassy in Bahrain urged citizens to shelter in place while citing media reports of threats of missiles and drones over Bahraini airspace.
The Bahraini Interior Ministry later confirmed that a warning alarm siren had been activated, with citizens and residents requested to head to the nearest safe place.
Bahrain hosts the US Central Command's 5th Fleet.
Additionally, US Embassy in Qatar implemented shelter-in-place for all personnel, recommending that all of its citizens to do the same until further notice." msn

Trump's new Board of Peace could tackle Russia-Ukraine war

"U.S. President Donald Trump unveiled his new Board of Peace during a signing ceremony in Davos on Jan. 22, in an event attended by leaders and officials from 19 signatory states.
The new body is launched primarily to oversee the ceasefire in Gaza, but U.S. officials said it would be expanded to other conflict regions.

A White House official confirmed to the Kyiv Independent that the Board could play a role in other situations, subject to the chairman's discretion and the consent of the relevant states, without ruling out engagement on Russia's war in Ukraine.
"This is not just a 'Board of Peace,' this is a board of action," U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said after signing.
"It is going to be a successful effort, and you see it reflected here today among countries of different backgrounds from different parts of the world."
Countries represented at the opening ceremony included Turkey, Hungary, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Argentina, Pakistan, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia.
Others, including Belarus, Israel, and Vietnam, have also said they would join the Board, while France, Norway, and Sweden have rejected." KI

Trump, Middle Eastern Leaders Sign Peace Agreement in Historic Egypt Summit Flanked by World Leaders

"President Donald Trump and about two dozen world leaders

displayed robust unity at the Middle East Peace signing ceremony regarding the first phase of a historic peace agreement between Israel and Hamas.
Trump, along with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, Emir of Qatar Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, signed the documents in Sharm el-Sheik hours after Trump gave a powerful speech to the Knesset in Tel Aviv." 

Breitbart

Trump Responds to Israel Strike on Hamas Leaders in Qatar: ‘Not a Decision Made by Me’

"President Donald Trump responded to Israel’s airstrike on Hamas

leaders in Doha, Qatar, and emphasized that the decision to carry out the strike “was not a decision” made by him.
Trump also expressed that while “eliminating Hamas” was a “worthy goal,” Qatar is a strong ally to the U.S., and he felt “very badly” about the strike." 

Breitbart

Netanyahu: Striking Hamas in Qatar Was Response to Terrorism in Jerusalem

"Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced Tuesday that Israel carried out a strike against Hamas leadership in Doha, Qatar, following deadly attacks in Jerusalem and Gaza.

Netanyahu explained that after the attacks, he directed security agencies to prepare for such an operation with Defense Minister Israel Katz’s oversight. He stated that in consultation with security chiefs, the decision was made to act on an operational opportunity, and that the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and Israel Security Agency (ISA) carried out the strike “with precision and in an optimal manner.”
Monday, after the murderous attacks in Jerusalem and Gaza, Prime Minister Netanyahu directed all security elements to prepare for the possibility of striking the Hamas leadership. The Defense Minister fully supported this initiative." Breitbart

Trump Says Israel Agrees To 60-Day Gaza Ceasefire, Urges Hamas To Accept

"President Trump said Tuesday that Israel has agreed on terms for a 60-day ceasefire in Gaza and warned Hamas to accept the deal before conditions worsen.

Trump announced the development as he prepares to host Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for talks at the White House on Monday. The US leader has been increasing pressure on the Israeli government and Hamas to broker a ceasefire and hostage agreement and bring about an end to the war in Gaza.
“My Representatives had a long and productive meeting with the Israelis today on Gaza. Israel has agreed to the necessary conditions to finalize the 60 Day CEASEFIRE, during which time we will work with all parties to end the War,” Trump wrote, saying the Qataris and Egyptians would deliver the final proposal.
“I hope, for the good of the Middle East, that Hamas takes this Deal, because it will not get better – IT WILL ONLY GET WORSE,” he said." ZeroHedge

Qatar Tells Hamas to Leave, Days After Trump Wins Election

"Qatar has told the leaders of Hamas to leave the country where they have enjoyed a luxurious exile for many years, just days after President-elect Donald Trump won the U.S. election." Breitbart

Hamas Leader Haniyeh Assassinated In Iran By Israeli Strike

"Iran’s Revolutionary Guards Corps has confirmed the death of Ismail Haniyeh, the top political leader of Hamas, during an inauguration event for Iran’s new president. Haniyeh, who is based in Qatar, and an Iranian security guard were reportedly killed at their place of residence. The death of the Hamas leader took place just hours after a significant portion of Israeli airspace was closed for unexplained reasons." ZeroHedge

Hamas accepts Gaza ceasefire proposal from Egyptian and Qatari mediators but Israel refuses, describing the deal as ‘a ruse’

"Hamas told Egyptian and Qatari mediators that it had accepted their Gaza ceasefire proposal, but Israel has refused and described the deal as ‘a ruse’.

The Palestinian terror group issued a statement on Monday saying its supreme leader, Ismail Haniyeh, had delivered the news in a phone call with Qatar’s prime minister and Egypt’s intelligence minister." MS

Qatar ‘re-evaluating’ role as mediator in Israel-Gaza truce talks

"Qatar’s prime minister has said Doha is re-evaluating its role as a mediator in negotiations aimed at bringing about a ceasefire in Gaza and the release of Israeli captives, adding that some parties have used the mediation for “narrow political interest”." AJ

New Phase of Wishful Thinking: Biden Claims Arab States Are Ready to Recognize Israel

"Speaking at a recent campaign event in New York, US President Joe Biden announced the willingness of Arab nations to recognize the Jewish state, but remained mum on the status of a Palestinian state......"I’ve been working with the Saudis and with all the other Arab countries, including Egypt and Jordan and Qatar. They’re prepared to fully recognize Israel. There has to be a post-Gaza plan, and there has to be a trade to a two-state solution. It doesn’t have to occur today. It has to be a progression and I think we can do that," Biden said." Sputnik

Al Jazeera Cuts Interview in Gaza with Man Who Turns on Qatar and Turkey

"A reporter with the Qatari state-owned Arabic-language news television network Al Jazeera abruptly cut short an interview with a man in Gaza as it quickly became apparent the subject was in no mood to repeat the accepted local trope of blaming Israel for everything. Then as the man is urged to expand on his narrative, he said: “May Allah settle the score with Qatar and Turkey…” The correspondent reacted to this by taking the microphone away from him and pushing the man away." Breitbart

India-Qatar ties strained by 'spy' death sentences

"Days after a Qatari court sentenced eight Indian naval veterans to death, India's External

Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met with the men's families in New Delhi and promised that the government would make "all efforts" to help release them.....The veteran officers had worked for Al Dahra, a private Gulf-based company....the men — who had been arrested in Doha in August 2022 — were accused of spying for a "third country," while The Times of India said "various reports claimed they were accused of spying for Israel."..."While the specific charges were never disclosed publicly, their confinement in solitary cells hinted at possible security related offences," an intelligence official told DW on condition of anonymity." DW

Israel Delays Gaza Invasion (Again) As US Scrambles To Put Missile Defenses In Place

"Both US and Israeli officials have told The Wall Streat Journal in a breaking major

development that Israel has decided to further stall its planned ground invasion of Gaza, at the request of Washington.
Though airstrikes have been ramped up - it has become clear in the last several days that Israel has been waiting in terms of a ground assault. This also as four hostages have been freed due to negotiations involving Qatari mediation with Hamas. The WSJ frames this further delay, however, as related to putting additional air defense from the US in place.
"The Pentagon is scrambling to deploy nearly a dozen air-defense systems to the region, including for U.S. troops serving in Iraq, Syria, Kuwait, Jordan, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, to protect them from missiles and rockets,"."ZH