Iranian Strikes Hit Targets in Qatar and Oman

Iranian strikes struck targets in Qatar and Oman after shipping through the Strait of Hormuz faced restrictions. The two countries had been attempting to mediate between Washington and Tehran. The attacks prompted Oman to summon Iran's ambassador. Qatar stated that the escalation would push any potential deal further out of reach.

Gulf states rely on oil and gas exports that transit the Strait of Hormuz. With the waterway restricted, those exports face disruption. The pain extends beyond the region. Roughly 20 percent of the world's oil and gas supply moves through the single chokepoint toward markets in Europe, Asia, and Africa.

Oman now face direct consequences from the conflict they sought to resolve. Officials in both countries had positioned themselves as intermediaries between Washington and Tehran. The strikes place the mediators inside the conflict zone they had been working to contain.