In a significant development in the Gulf region, the Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned the Iranian ambassador to Doha, Ali Saleh Abadi, on Saturday and handed him a strongly worded official protest note. This diplomatic move comes in the wake of recent Iranian missile and drone attacks, which coincided with Kuwait's announcement that it had intercepted a drone that violated its airspace, indicating escalating security tensions in the region.

Details of the Qatari protest and the official position

In its official statement, the Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed its deep displeasure and categorical rejection of the targeting of its territory, describing this act as a blatant violation of its national sovereignty and a direct threat to its national security, as well as a flagrant breach of international law and the United Nations Charter, which stipulates respect for the sovereignty of states and non-interference in their internal affairs or endangering their safety.

During the meeting, Qatari Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Mohammed bin Abdulaziz bin Saleh Al-Khulaifi, emphasized to Iranian Ambassador Ali Saleh Abadi that the repeated targeting of Qatari territory constitutes a reckless and irresponsible act. Al-Khulaifi explained that such practices are completely incompatible with the principles of good neighborliness that Doha has always sought to uphold, warning that the continuation of such actions will inevitably lead to serious repercussions that will negatively impact the future of bilateral relations between the two countries.

Kuwait confronts the Gulf security concern

In parallel with Qatar's stance, Kuwait's role in protecting Gulf airspace was prominent, as Kuwaiti air defenses successfully intercepted a drone, a move that underscores the security readiness of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states in confronting aerial threats. This incident reflects the close security ties among the Gulf states, where the security of any member state is viewed as an integral part of the security of the Gulf system as a whole.

Regional context and the importance of stability

These developments come at a time of intense political and diplomatic activity in the region aimed at de-escalation and stability. The Gulf region holds paramount strategic importance internationally, not only as a major global energy hub but also due to its vital geographic location in international trade. Therefore, any security threat to the Gulf states resonates widely and attracts the attention of the international community, which closely monitors the stability of this crucial region.

Qatari diplomacy and the future of relations

Qatari diplomacy has long been known for its tireless efforts to bridge divides and support regional stability. The Qatari statement implicitly indicated that Doha has worked diligently to foster dialogue, but the recent attacks pose significant challenges to these efforts. The summoning of the Iranian ambassador is interpreted as a firm message that Doha, despite its diplomatic openness, draws clear red lines when it comes to any infringement upon its sovereignty or the security of its citizens and residents.

The EU's foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, announced that the bloc's foreign ministers will hold an emergency meeting today (Sunday) to discuss the rapidly evolving situation related to the Iranian issue, following a series of recent US-Israeli strikes and Iranian retaliatory attacks in the region.

“The indiscriminate attacks launched by the Iranian regime against its neighbors pose a real risk of dragging the entire region into a wider and disastrous war,” Callas wrote on her official X platform account, explaining that the ministers would meet via video conference to ensure rapid coordination and keep pace with the rapidly evolving events on the ground.

The European official indicated that it is extremely important that the scope of the war does not expand further, while stressing the need for the Iranian regime to make decisive decisions to de-escalate rather than escalate.

International moves and fears of sliding into the abyss

In a related context, European Council President Antonio Costa described the exchange of strikes as a "serious escalation" in the military situation in the Middle East, expressing his deep concern about the deteriorating security situation.

These European diplomatic moves coincide with the start of the UN Security Council's discussions on the developments in the war, as the international community strives to contain the situation before it reaches a point of no return. This intensified diplomatic activity is a direct response to global fears that the conflict could escalate from limited skirmishes or proxy wars into a direct and full-scale military confrontation between major regional and international powers.

Background of the conflict and its regional repercussions

These meetings are of exceptional importance given the complex historical and geopolitical context of the Middle East. The current escalation not only threatens regional security but also casts a shadow over international peace and security. European countries, in particular, fear the direct repercussions of any large-scale war, which could include new waves of refugees, a threat to global energy security, and disruption to supply chains passing through the region's vital straits.

Observers believe that the emergency European meeting and the Security Council session aim to unify international positions to pressure all parties to exercise restraint. The major powers recognize that the continued exchange of missile strikes and airstrikes could lead to catastrophic miscalculations, making preventive diplomacy at this stage an urgent necessity, not merely a political option, especially given the fragile situation in neighboring countries that could be directly affected by any large-scale armed conflict.

In a surprising development that shook the international political scene, US President Donald Trump announced today (Saturday) the assassination of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei in a controversial post on his social media platform, Truth Social. This announcement comes amidst a great deal of conflicting information, with official authorities in Tehran quickly denying the report outright and affirming that the Supreme Leader continues to carry out his duties.

Details of Trump's announcement and the accusations made

The US president did not merely announce the news; he launched a scathing attack on Khamenei, describing him as "one of the most evil people in history." Trump wrote in his post: "Khamenei is dead... This is not only justice for the Iranian people, but for all Americans, and those people from many countries around the world, who have been killed or maimed by Khamenei and his gang of bloodthirsty thugs." Trump emphasized the precision of the intelligence operation, explaining that the Iranian leader "was not able to evade our intelligence and highly sophisticated tracking systems," and confirming close coordination with Israel in this regard. He added that "there was nothing he or the other leaders killed with him could do.".

Context of the US-Iran conflict

To understand the implications of this announcement, one must consider the long history of hostility between Washington and Tehran, spanning more than four decades since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. The previous Trump administration witnessed an unprecedented escalation known as the "maximum pressure" policy, which included withdrawing from the nuclear agreement and reimposing crippling economic sanctions. The world is also reminded of the 2020 assassination of Quds Force commander Qassem Soleimani in Baghdad, ordered directly by Trump, which places this current announcement, despite Iranian denials, within the context of the ongoing confrontation between the two sides.

The importance of the mentor's role and the impact of absence

Ali Khamenei, who assumed office in 1989 following Khomeini's death, occupies the apex of Iran's political and religious hierarchy. As the "Supreme Leader," he wields absolute power in the country, including control over the Revolutionary Guard, foreign policy, the media, and the judiciary. Therefore, any discussion of his absence raises existential questions about the future of the Iranian regime. A vacancy in this position could trigger a power struggle within the corridors of power in Tehran, particularly between the religious establishment and the Revolutionary Guard, over the identity of the potential successor—a possibility Trump alluded to when he described the event as "the only great opportunity for the Iranian people to take back their country.".

Israel's role and the regional dimension

Trump’s reference to “working closely with Israel” highlights the covert war raging in the Middle East. Tehran has long accused Tel Aviv of carrying out sabotage operations and assassinations of nuclear scientists and military leaders inside Iranian territory. If these reports are confirmed, it would represent a geopolitical earthquake that could redraw alliances in the region and directly impact the influence of pro-Iranian factions in Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, and Yemen.