Largest U.S. military base in Qatar, key hub in the Gulf
Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani has died at 74, Qatar's Amiri Diwan has announced. He has been credited with transforming Qatar into an energy and diplomatic power by expanding LNG production, founding Al Jazeera, building sovereign investment vehicles and stepping down voluntarily in 2013 to hand power to his son.
Iran has said three of its pilots were captured by Qatari forces after Su-24 jets crashed during an operation over Qatar in March. Qatar has denied detaining surviving aircrew, saying its search teams recovered one body and invited Iran to review the rescue operation; Tehran says Doha has not responded to its request to allow an Iranian investigation.
Qatar has pressed for unimpeded Hormuz shipping and is coordinating with China as regional diplomacy intensifies. Doha says reopening the Strait must be unconditional, while mediation efforts continue amid stalled US-Iran talks and renewed attacks.
Iranian naval forces have captured a US Dive‑LD autonomous underwater vehicle at the entrance to the Strait of Hormuz. US Central Command has said the drone malfunctioned more than a day earlier and carried no classified sonar or radar. Manufacturer Anduril has confirmed the loss and called the system attritable.