Calls for the reconfiguration of military arrangements in the Gulf region

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. […]