Qatar Warns Middle East War Nears Point of No Return

Qatar issued a stark warning on Tuesday that the escalating war in the Middle East is approaching a point of no return, as a U.S. deadline loomed for Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a vital global shipping route.

The caution came hours before the midnight GMT Wednesday expiration of the ultimatum from U.S. President Donald Trump. In a statement on Monday, Trump warned that Iran could face total destruction "in one night" if it failed to restore access to the strait, through which about one-fifth of the world's oil typically flows. Iran has effectively blockaded the waterway since late February, amid retaliatory drone and missile strikes on Gulf states, including hydrocarbon facilities in oil-rich nations.

The conflict ignited with U.S. and Israeli airstrikes on Iran at the end of February, prompting Iran's barrage of attacks on neighboring countries. Gulf states, including Qatar and Kuwait, have intercepted numerous projectiles over recent weeks. Qatar's Foreign Ministry spokesman, Majed al-Ansari, emphasized the urgency during a briefing in Doha. "We have been warning since 2023 that escalation left unchecked will get us into a situation where it cannot be controlled, and...