'India Is Powerful & Modernising Its Military': US Defence Secy Hegseth Backs Delhi’s Strategic Rise

United States ally Qatar has issued a stark warning amid the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. Speaking in Singapore, Qatari Minister of State for Defence Affairs Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman Al Thani described the Strait of Hormuz as the “neck of the world,” warning that its closure would create problems far beyond the Middle East. He argued that the crisis cannot be solved through military action alone and called for direct, open dialogue with Iran, emphasizing that Tehran will always play a central role in the waterway's future. The Qatari minister also revealed that Gulf Cooperation Council states were still working toward a common strategy on Iran but have yet to reach a unified position.