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Saudi Arabia and UAE were about to attack Qatar

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Saudi Arabia and UAE were about to attack Qatar

Rex Tillerson asked the two countries to avoid crisis

Saudi Arabia and UAE were planning to attack Qatar last year after severing their ties with the tiny Arab nation which led to its blockade. However, former Secretary of State Rex Tillerson asked the two countries not to go ahead for the operation.

According to Intercept, an online investigative news publication dedicated to “adversarial journalism,” the plot was largely devised by Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin-Salman and his UAE’s counterpart Mohammed bin Zayed, involved Saudi ground troops entering Qatar, and with support from UAE army, advancing 100 kms inland and seizing Doha, the capital of the country.

According to a US intelligence official, Qatari intelligence agents inside Saudi Arabia caught wind of the plot in the summer of 2017. US and UK intelligence services confirmed about the plot several months later, the report said.

Saudi Arabia and UAE were about to attack Qatar

Robert Malley, the CEO of the Crisis Group and former advisor on Middle East issues to former President Barack Obama, said that since the summer of 2017, Qatari officials had been telling him that their country was under the threat of invasion.

Read More: Saudi Arabia, UAE, Bahrain and Egypt snap ties with Qatar

He said, “There is little doubt that senior Qatari officials with whom I spoke were convinced — or at least acted as if they were convinced — that Saudi Arabia and the UAE had been planning a military attack on their country that was halted as a result of US intervention.”

According to Qatar based Aljazeera, Saudi Arabia and UAE were stopped from launching a military operation by former US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson in an act that may have played a key role in his dismissal.

The investigative news website said that attack against Qatar’s emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, would have involved Saudi forces circumventing the Al-Udeid Air Base, which is home of the US Air Force Central Command and some 10,000 American troops, and seizing Doha.

Saudi Arabia and UAE were about to attack Qatar

Read More: Qatar’s emir: Saudi Arabia want “regime change”

The Al-Udeid Air Base is a military base southwest of Doha, which is also known as Abu Nakhlah Airport, serves as one of the US’ most important overseas military bases and carries out operations throughout Middle East.

According to report Rex Tilerson had reportedly urged Saudi Arabia’s King Salman not to carry out the attack and also encouraged Defense Secretary James Mattis to explain the dangers of such an invasion to his counterpart in the kingdom.

According to Aljazeera, pressure from Tillerson caused Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to back down, who was concerned that invasion on Qatar would damage long term ties between Riyadh and Washington.

Read More: Trump calls Saudi Arabia to resolve Qatar crisis

However, this enraged UAE’s Crown Prince and its de facto ruler Mohammed bin Zayed who subsequently lobbied in the White House for Tillerson’s removal. One source said that the timing of Tillerson’s removal- a week before Saudi Crown Prince arrival in Washington for a much publicized visit was significant.

Saudi Arabia and UAE were about to attack Qatar

According a report, Tillerson was frustrated with President Donald Trump for endorsing Qatar’s blockade, with his aides suspecting that a line in the president’s speech where Doha was accused of funding terrorism at a “very high level” had been written by UAE’s ambassador to US Yousef al-Otaiba, who has been reportedly in constant touch with Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner.

On June 2017, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, UAE and Egypt suddenly announced severing ties with Qatar alleging Doha of supporting terrorist groups and creating upheavals in the regional countries. Later 13-point charter of demands was made public which included severing ties with Iran and shutting down Turkish military base and Aljazeera news network.

Qatar denied allegations and rejected Saudi-led quartet for violation of its sovereignty and national integrity.

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Trump says Iran agrees to never have nuclear weapons, rejects $300 billion fund claim

Donald Trump said Iran has agreed to never possess nuclear weapons under a proposed framework, while dismissing reports that the US would provide Tehran with a $300 billion reconstruction fund.

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Donald Trump statement

US President Donald Trump has said that Iran has agreed to a commitment that it will never develop or possess nuclear weapons, describing it as a central element of a proposed understanding between Washington and Tehran.

Speaking about the ongoing diplomatic efforts, Trump also rejected reports suggesting that the United States planned to provide Iran with a reconstruction or investment package worth $300 billion. He described such claims as false and said no such arrangement had been agreed.

The remarks come as discussions continue over a broader framework aimed at easing tensions between the two countries. According to Trump, the understanding would ensure that Iran remains without nuclear weapons while opening the door for future engagement if the terms are respected.

Questions remain over final agreement details

Despite Trump’s comments, several aspects of the proposed arrangement remain unclear because the full text of the agreement has not yet been made public.

Reports indicate that negotiations have involved discussions on sanctions relief, access to frozen assets and potential economic measures linked to Iran’s compliance with future commitments. However, the exact scope of these provisions has not been officially confirmed.

Another key issue is how compliance would be monitored. Details regarding inspections, verification mechanisms and the handling of Iran’s existing nuclear materials have yet to be fully explained.

Further negotiations expected

Officials have suggested that discussions on technical nuclear matters could continue even after the signing of an initial memorandum of understanding. Such talks would likely focus on implementation and verification measures.

The proposed framework is being closely watched internationally, as any agreement between the United States and Iran could have significant implications for regional stability and global non-proliferation efforts.

For now, Trump has maintained that the core objective remains clear: ensuring that Iran never acquires a nuclear weapon while denying reports that Washington has committed to a multibillion-dollar reconstruction fund.

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USA start FIFA World Cup 2026 with dominant 4-1 victory over Paraguay

The USA opened their FIFA World Cup 2026 journey with a dominant 4-1 victory against Paraguay, earning three valuable points in Group D.

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The United States kicked off their FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign in impressive fashion, securing a commanding 4-1 victory over Paraguay in their Group D opener at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles.

Playing in front of a passionate home crowd, the hosts delivered an attacking display to collect all three points and make an early statement in the tournament. The match also marked a significant occasion as the USA hosted part of the World Cup opening festivities before turning attention to the action on the pitch.

The Americans took control early and maintained pressure on Paraguay throughout the contest. Their attacking movement and clinical finishing helped them establish a comfortable lead, while Paraguay struggled to contain the hosts’ pace and creativity in the final third.

USA seize control after fast start

The United States settled quickly and found success going forward, creating several opportunities through quick passing and aggressive pressing. Their attacking approach paid off as they built momentum and gradually stretched Paraguay’s defence.

Paraguay attempted to respond and managed to get on the scoresheet, but the South American side found it difficult to match the intensity shown by the hosts. The USA continued to create chances and added further goals to put the result beyond doubt.

With the victory, the United States moved to the top section of Group D and gained an important boost in confidence ahead of their upcoming fixtures in the tournament.

Strong opening result for hosts

A winning start is particularly important in a World Cup campaign, and the USA achieved exactly that with a comprehensive performance. The result gives the hosts valuable momentum as they prepare for the next stage of group play.

For Paraguay, the defeat means they will need a strong response in their remaining group matches to keep their hopes of progressing to the knockout rounds alive.

The FIFA World Cup 2026 is being jointly hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, with the tournament featuring an expanded format and more participating teams than previous editions.

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Latest world news

Jaishankar raises deaths of three Indian sailors with Marco Rubio, lodges strong protest

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar conveyed India’s strong protest to US Secretary of State Marco Rubio over an attack that killed three Indian sailors, stressing that lethal action against commercial shipping is unjustified.

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External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Saturday spoke with Marco Rubio and conveyed India’s strong protest over recent attacks on commercial vessels in the Gulf that resulted in the deaths of three Indian sailors.

According to reports, Jaishankar told Rubio that the use of lethal force against commercial shipping was not justified and underlined India’s serious concerns regarding the safety of civilian seafarers operating in the region. The conversation came days after three Indian mariners were killed in an attack on the Palau-flagged tanker Settebello near the Oman coast.

The incident has triggered diplomatic engagement between New Delhi and Washington. India had earlier summoned a senior US diplomat to register its concerns and seek accountability following the attack. The Ministry of External Affairs has emphasized that actions endangering civilian shipping undermine maritime safety and stability in a strategically important region.

India reiterates concern over maritime safety

India has stressed the importance of protecting civilian seafarers and ensuring the security of international maritime commerce. Officials have expressed concern over multiple incidents involving Indian crew members in West Asian waters in recent days.

The deaths of the three sailors have also sparked calls within India for stronger diplomatic efforts to safeguard Indian nationals working aboard commercial vessels in conflict-affected maritime zones.

Background of the incident

The attack involved the tanker Settebello, which was operating near Oman when it was struck during ongoing tensions linked to the conflict involving Iran and maritime operations in the Gulf region. Initial reports indicated that Indian crew members were among those affected, and later confirmations established that three Indian sailors had died in the incident.

India has maintained that civilian shipping should not become a target and has continued diplomatic outreach to ensure the safety and welfare of Indian seafarers working across global shipping routes.

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