Qatar monitors radiation levels over Gulf, fears rise as Israel hits Iranian nuclear, energy sites
Amid heightened conflict between Israel and Iran, Qatar has stepped up monitoring of radiation levels in the Gulf, following Israeli airstrikes on Iranian nuclear and energy sites.
On Tuesday, Qatari foreign ministry spokesman Majed al-Ansari confirmed that Doha is closely tracking environmental developments in the region, while calling for international awareness of the potential fallout from strikes on sensitive facilities.
'We are monitoring this on a daily basis,' al-Ansari said during a news conference.
'We have nothing to be concerned about right now, but obviously prolonged escalation will have unpredictable consequences.'
Gulf waters under watch: Qatar warns of potential regional impact
Al-Ansari stressed the strategic and environmental importance of the Gulf's waters, describing them as the region's primary water source. He warned that any military action targeting nuclear or energy-related facilities could result in outcomes beyond current prediction.
'We have to emphasise, when we are talking about the waters of the Gulf, it's the main source of water for all of us here in the region,' he said.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
Ask a Pro: "What Expenses Can Be Deducted From Capital Gains Tax?"
SmartAsset
Undo
'The international community has to make it very clear that any targeting of nuclear facilities, any targeting of fuel or energy facilities in this region, would have ramifications that are unknown to us in the Gulf.'
Nuclear and energy sites struck as conflict enters fifth day
The current escalation began Friday when Israel launched a major air campaign against Iran's nuclear infrastructure. This marked the start of a now five-day-long exchange of missile strikes between the two countries.
Iran's key nuclear enrichment facilities, which were among the Israeli targets, are located deep inland. However, Iran also operates a nuclear power plant at Bushehr, situated along the Gulf coast.
According to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Iran informed the UN nuclear watchdog that the Bushehr plant had not been targeted. The statement was issued by the IAEA on Friday.
On Saturday, Israel targeted a significant Iranian gas installation on the Gulf coast.
The facility supports the South Pars gas field, a major energy project shared between Iran and Qatar.
Qatar condemns strikes on energy infrastructure
While confirming that Qatar's part of the shared gas field remains unaffected, the Qatari government expressed concern over the risks such attacks pose to regional stability.
'Qatar's own facilities in the field are secure,' said al-Ansari.
Nonetheless, he strongly criticised the Israeli strikes on Iran's energy assets.
He described the actions as 'reckless,' adding to Qatar's calls for de-escalation and urging international stakeholders to prevent further destabilisation in the Gulf.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
HC seeks clarity on govt's move on Kaleshwaram project report
1 2 Hyderabad: The Telangana high court on Thursday sought clarity from the state govt on whether it intends to place the Justice PC Ghose Commission report on the Kaleshwaram project before the assembly first or whether it will act on the report and then lay it before the House for discussion. "This is a crucial question. We need clarity before proceeding further. We need not observe anything more without your answer," a division bench of Chief Justice Aparesh Kumar Singh and Justice GM Mohiuddin told advocate general A Sudarshan Reddy, who appeared for the state. On his request to obtain instructions, the court adjourned the matter to Friday. The bench was hearing petitions filed by former CM K Chandrasekhar Rao and former minister T Harish Rao, who challenged the commission's notices and findings. Their counsels argued that the notices issued were defective as they were only summons and not notices as mandated under section 8B of the Commissions of Inquiry Act. They contended that this denial of due process vitiated the proceedings. You Can Also Check: Hyderabad AQI | Weather in Hyderabad | Bank Holidays in Hyderabad | Public Holidays in Hyderabad | Gold Rates Today in Hyderabad | Silver Rates Today in Hyderabad 'Violation of rights' The petitioners further alleged that the report was already widely circulated in the media and on govt platforms, even before being formally placed in the assembly. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Passive Income Ideas Sitting at Home Mone Click Here Undo They produced photographs of newspaper articles, press conferences by the CM and other ministers, and even a power-point presentation given by a minister, all based on the commission's findings. They stressed that they were not given an opportunity to cross-examine witnesses who deposed before the commission, a violation of their rights. "The commission was tasked with inquiring into the planning, design, and execution of the project—not into allegations of corruption or irregularities. Yet, imputations against the petitioners are being made public without due process," the counsels argued. Citing judgements in the cases of inquiries held on former IPS officer Kiran Bedi and former Union home minister LK Advani, the counsels sought to strike down the notices and also the findings of commission report. Countering these arguments, the AG submitted that the petitioners were well aware of the notices and even sought documents from the commission, which were duly provided. "A notice does not become invalid merely because a specific section is not cited," he argued. He also contended that since both petitioners are members of the state assembly, they would have the opportunity to participate in the debate on the commission's report once it is tabled in the House. Any judicial intervention at this stage, he cautioned, could impede legislative proceedings. "The commission was set up in the larger interest of the state to identify what went wrong. Its report must first be debated in assembly. Any orders here may pre-empt that process," the AG told the bench. Public domain controversy On the petitioners' grievance that the report had already entered the public domain, the AG denied it. He assured the court that the cabinet has decided to place the report before the assembly shortly for discussion. The petitioners, however, pressed for court protection, alleging that their reputations were being irreparably harmed. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area.
Mint
an hour ago
- Mint
Netanyahu now wants war's end, ties it to Gaza takeover and hostage deal
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Thursday, August 21, that he visited the Gaza Division to approve the Israeli Defence Force's plans to seize control of Gaza City and defeat Hamas. He added that he had also instructed officials to begin immediate negotiations for the release of all hostages and to work toward ending the war under terms acceptable to Israel. "I came today to the Gaza Division in order to approve the plans that the IDF presented to me and to the defense minister for taking control of Gaza City and for defeating Hamas," Netanyahu said. "At the same time, I instructed to begin immediate negotiations for the release of all our hostages and for ending the war under conditions acceptable to Israel," he added. The announcement by Netanyahu came several days after Hamas said it had agreed to a ceasefire proposal that would see half of the hostages released and kick off talks to end the war and free the rest. This also came just as Netanyahu has approved the plans for the military takeover of the Gaza city. Although Jerusalem had earlier approved the framework, Netanyahu has now insisted that Israel will halt fighting only as part of a comprehensive deal covering all 50 remaining captives. It remains unclear whether his Thursday remarks signaled any real shift in the negotiations. A spokesperson for the Prime Minister's Office told Times of Israel that there were no immediate plans to dispatch an Israeli delegation, while a senior official later clarified that envoys would be sent once a venue for the talks was decided. The deal pushed by US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, would commit the terror group to release 10 living hostages and the bodies of 18 of the slain hostages in exchange for a 60-day ceasefire and release of hundreds of Palestinian security prisoners. It was proposed that during the ceasefire, talks would begin for a permanent end to the war and the release of the remaining 22 hostages, Times of Israel reported. Israel had earlier approved a similar framework but has yet to respond to the offer. Netanyahu has not rejected the framework leaving open the possibility of both a negotiated settlement and a military escalation.
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
USAID didn't give $21 million for poll turnout: US embassy to Centre
Representative image NEW DELHI: USAID did not provide funding of $21 million for voter turnout in India between 2014 and 2024, the US embassy has informed the Indian govt, according to a reply by ministry of external affairs in response to a Parliament question. US President Donald Trump had earlier questioned the alleged funding, saying he suspected "they were trying to get someone else elected". MoS for external affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh said that on July 2, 2025, the US embassy shared data that, it said, covered USAID funding in India from 2014 to 2024, including details of implementing partners, objectives and key accomplishments of each activity undertaken. "The embassy also maintains that USAID/India did not receive or provide funding of $21 million for voter turnout in India from fiscal years 2014 to 2024, nor has it implemented any voter turnout-related activities in India," said the minister, in response to a written query in Rajya Sabha. "On July 29, 2025, the US embassy conveyed to MEA that it plans to bring all USAID operations to a close by Aug 15, 2025," he added. The MEA had earlier requested the embassy to urgently furnish details of expenditure incurred on all USAID-assisted/funded projects in India over the last 10 years (other than those being implemented under the seven partnership agreements with Indian govt). MEA also sought a list of NGOs/implementing partners through which such initiatives were executed. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Many Filipinos don't know about this! Read More Undo Trump had earlier accused USAID of working to effect a change of govt in India. Reports later suggested that the funding might have been meant for Bangladesh. "Why do we need to spend $21 million on voter turnout in India? I guess they were trying to get somebody else elected. We have got to tell the Indian govt... Because when we hear that Russia spent about $2,000 in our country, it was a big deal. They took some internet ads for $2,000. This is a total breakthrough," Trump had alleged.
