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Calls for the reconfiguration of military arrangements in the Gulf region

98 0
08.03.2026

The former Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jaber Al Thani called for the formation of a strategic defence alliance bringing together Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Turkiye and Pakistan. Al Thani has described it as an “urgent need” in light of developments and changing regional and international dynamics.  He made this call weeks before the attack on Iran by Israel and the US on 28th February 2026.  It is not the first time Israel attacked Iran whilst in negotiations.

In June 2025 Israel attacked Iran whilst it was it was negotiating its nuclear program with the US.  Iran retaliated with hundreds of missiles and drones targeting Israeli cities and the US military base in Al Udeid in Doha, Qatar.  Al Udeid is the largest US military base in the Gulf region. In September 2025 Hamas leadership was attacked in Qatar by Israel whilst meeting to consider a ceasefire proposal from the US on the war on Gaza.

Qatar has spent billions of US dollars on US’s weapons and military hardware including a huge investment at the Al Udeid military base.  It is estimated that Qatar has spent over 19 billion USD over time in Al Udeid.  Notwithstanding, Qatar has remained vulnerable from external military attacks and its sovereignty has been compromised over the past months.

As long as the government of Iran continues to function, with all its current political infrastructural framework, it will continue to be targeted by Israel. 

On 28 February 2026, the US and Israel started launching unprovoked attacks on Iran.  They killed the Supreme leader........

© Middle East Monitor