AGP Executive Report

US-Iran Talks & Hormuz Tensions: Indirect US-Iran negotiations in Doha wrapped up with “positive progress” from mediators, but no major breakthrough—key sticking points reportedly include Strait of Hormuz navigation and frozen funds, as both sides keep warning against missteps. Khamenei Funeral in Focus: Iran is staging a week of mass mourning for slain Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, with security-tight processions starting July 4 and Tehran warning the US and Israel against any attacks during the funeral period. Qatar Diplomacy & Regional Food Security: Qatar joined an extraordinary GCC meeting on Agriculture and Food Security via videoconference, stressing stronger coordination to protect Gulf food reserves and supply chains. QSE Watch: Qatar Stock Exchange closed the week down 0.69% to 10,211 points, with investors looking ahead to first-half results next week. Local Governance & Integrity: The Civil Service and Government Development Bureau activated a conflict-of-interest declaration service on the Mawared system to improve oversight across government entities. Sports & Culture: Qatar beat India 65–56 in FIBA Asian qualifiers, while eFIBA World Finals Qatar Season 4 tipped off in Doha and UDST announced ISO 9001:2015 certification. Environment & Community: MoM ran a Wakra Beach clean-up drive, and Kahramaa launched its 2026 customer satisfaction survey.

US–Iran Mediation in Doha: Qatar and Pakistan-backed indirect talks wrapped up with mediators citing “positive progress,” including a plan for a communications channel to log alleged MoU violations and discussions around frozen Iranian assets, while the next round is flagged for July 18. Strait of Hormuz Tensions: Washington rejected any status-quo changes to Hormuz, as Iran warned ships must follow its approved routes or face “forceful response,” keeping shipping and oil markets on edge. Qatar Education Update: Qatar’s Ministry of Education and Higher Education approved General Secondary Certificate results for 2025–2026, with 16,000+ students receiving results and the daytime scientific track leading at a 90.10% pass rate. Sports — Basketball: Qatar beat India 65–56 in Asian World Cup qualifiers, with Abdulrahman Saad top-scoring on 24 points, setting up Qatar’s next away match in Jeddah. Justice & Digital Services: Qatar’s Ministry of Justice launched an upgraded official website under Digital Agenda 2030, adding easier access to legal resources and e-services. Humanitarian Aid: Jordan and Qatar sent earthquake relief to Venezuela, including medical supplies and food parcels. Air Connectivity: Qatar Airways launched inaugural flights to Port Sudan, adding three weekly services via Doha.

US-Iran Diplomacy in Doha: Qatar says “positive progress” was made in indirect US-Iran talks on the Strait of Hormuz MoU, but uncertainty remains as the next round is expected after Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s funeral processions. Hormuz Tensions: Iran’s military command warned tankers to use approved routes or face “forceful response,” while oil prices slid for a third straight day on easing supply fears. Regional Mediation: Pakistan’s PM Shehbaz Sharif will attend Khamenei’s funeral in Iran (July 3-5) and Qatar and Pakistan mediators say negotiations will continue after the ceremonies. Qatar Markets & Economy: Qatar Stock Exchange opened lower (down 0.11%); gold edged down weekly to about $4,068.8/oz. Qatar Life & Services: Qatar Toy Festival opened at DECC (runs to July 31); Ashghal says Qataris make up 60% of its workforce; PHCC ran an oral health campaign for Qatar Rail employees. Healthcare Milestone: Sidra Medicine celebrated the Class of 2026 and expanded training for future healthcare leaders. International Links: QFZ CEO met BYD to explore cooperation in free zones; Franklin Templeton expands in Qatar via a QFC entity. Diplomatic Updates: Qatar received new UAE and Nigeria ambassadors’ credentials.

US-Iran MoU talks in Doha: Qatar says indirect US-Iran technical meetings ended with “positive progress” on the memorandum, including Strait of Hormuz shipping and steps to use part of Iran’s $6bn frozen assets for needed goods; Iran’s deputy FM also announced a “communication channel” to report MoU breaches, while JD Vance said talks are going well and the US won’t return to full combat unless necessary. Mediation update: Qatar and Pakistan mediators held separate sessions with both sides; the next round is expected after funeral processions for Iran’s late Supreme Leader. Oil and markets: Oil prices slid as optimism cooled, with Brent and WTI down, while global stocks stayed mixed amid Fed-watch and tech weakness. Qatar infrastructure milestone: Qatari Diar secured two Guinness World Records for Lusail City’s district cooling network and its chilled-water storage tank. Qatar business and jobs: Commercial Bank hosted a career day with Qatar’s Ministry of Labour to support Qatarisation in banking roles. Qatar Airways spotlight: Qatar Airways was again praised for its business-class Qsuite comfort, winning top honours for the world’s best business class seat. Sports: Qatar’s men’s basketball team opens its Asian qualifiers window against India in Ahmedabad.

US-Iran Doha talks under Qatar mediation: Indirect US-Iran technical talks are underway in Doha with Qatari and Pakistani mediators, focused on frozen Iranian assets and Strait of Hormuz shipping, while Iran says no direct meetings with US envoys are planned “at any level” in the coming days; Qatar also reiterates no funds have been transferred yet and stresses coordination with Oman for safe navigation and mine clearance. Markets watch Hormuz and deal progress: Oil prices drift lower as traders weigh the talks’ uncertainty, while global shares stay mixed and the dollar firms amid ongoing Middle East risk. Qatar’s local updates: Qatar National Library launches its July membership drive, and the General Tax Authority runs a workshop on valuation methods for Capital Gains Tax. Aviation and travel: Qatar Airways, Emirates and Etihad are rebounding after earlier disruptions, but Asian airlines say the passenger-fare gains are starting to fade as routes normalize. Sports and culture: Education City kicks off a summer of discovery at Qatar Foundation, and Media City Qatar releases new insight papers on emerging media trends across GCC and MENA. OCA leadership: 27 National Olympic Committees back Shaikh Joaan for OCA President for 2027–2035, with the next General Assembly in Doha on Jan 27, 2027.

US-Iran Mediation in Doha: Qatar says US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are in Doha for talks with mediators, not direct meetings with Iran, while technical discussions continue under the MoU framework. Strait of Hormuz Focus: Qatar stresses freedom of navigation as an international waterway and says it is working to contain escalation, with Hormuz, nuclear issues and regional stability all on the agenda. Frozen Assets Talks: Iran says it will meet Qatar on frozen assets, while Qatar reiterates it acts only as a financial intermediary and transfers depend on negotiations. Diplomacy vs. Pressure: Iran’s parliament speaker warns Tehran won’t reopen dialogue until US commitments are met, while also signaling readiness to respond if ceasefire terms are violated. Regional Aviation Move: Ashghal breaks ground on a Qatar Aeronautical Academy overhaul to train pilots, air-traffic controllers and engineers from 2027. Sports & Culture: OCA nominations back Sheikh Joaan for 2027-2035; Qatar’s July calendar spotlights family events and World Cup activations.

US-Iran Doha Talks (Qatar Mediation): Qatar says U.S. envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff are in Doha to meet mediators, but there will be no high-level U.S.-Iran meeting scheduled; Qatar adds technical talks are ongoing and a $6bn frozen-asset transfer has not yet happened. Strait of Hormuz Focus: Qatar also stresses freedom of navigation and coordination with Oman on safe ship passage as the U.S.-Iran ceasefire remains fragile after weekend exchanges. Energy & Markets: Gulf stocks were subdued as investors watch Doha; oil and gold both slid on uncertainty, with gold tracking its worst quarterly run in years amid strong dollar and rate-hike bets. Qatar Updates at Home: QatarEnergy set July fuel prices (premium QR2.05/litre, super unchanged at QR2.10/litre; diesel QR2.05); Ashghal kicked off the Qatar Aeronautical Academy development in Ras Bu Abboud; Qatar’s real estate market logged QR1.73bn in May deals across 425 transactions. Space & Diplomacy: Qatar and Türkiye signed a strategic partnership to develop Qatar’s third satellite, while Qatar’s FM met the EU Gulf representative to review cooperation and regional stability efforts.

US-Iran Doha talks: President Trump says Iran requested a meeting in Doha on Tuesday, with Witkoff and Kushner heading to Qatar for high-level discussions, while Tehran denies any scheduled negotiations and insists only a technical delegation will visit to push MoU implementation. Hormuz pressure: Iran’s deputy foreign minister warns Tehran will keep control over maritime traffic if Oman won’t, as shipping fears and oil-price swings linger despite a “stand down” after weekend clashes. Qatar maritime safety: Qatar’s Ministry of Transport temporarily suspended maritime navigation and marine activities as a precaution, after a Qatari citizen was killed by shrapnel linked to regional military operations and another resident was injured. Regional condolences: GCC Secretary-General and Saudi Arabia, plus other Arab states, offered condolences to Qatar over the death. Local life & sport: QOC launched Team Qatar Summer 2026 for children of QOC employees, and Qatar’s rutab season shows early promise for a strong harvest. Infrastructure update: Al Markhiya Street section closure announced until July 18 for road works. Business & markets: Wall Street rebounded as US-Iran tensions eased; the Dow closed above 52,000 for the first time.

US-Iran Stand-Down Ahead of Doha Talks: The US and Iran agreed to pause mutual attacks “for now” and meet in Doha to resolve their Strait of Hormuz dispute, with officials saying vessels can move freely while technical talks continue. Diplomatic Framework Update: Qatar’s Foreign Affairs issued a new guide setting job descriptions and career classification rules for the diplomatic and consular corps. Health on the Ground: Qatar’s Municipality Ministry opened a medical clinic at the Public Cleaning Department Complex in Industrial Area, serving about 3,200 public hygiene employees. Healthcare Innovation: Hamad Medical Corporation launched new pediatric allergy services, including skin allergy testing and food/drug challenge tests. Qatar Airways Network Shift: Qatar Airways cancelled upcoming Airbus A380 flights on a major long-haul route, reshaping its A380 schedule. Culture & Film: Doha Film Institute announced 2026 Spring Grants recipients across 48 projects. Local Life: Souq Waqif’s Hamba Indian Mango Exhibition sold 187,300 kg of mangoes and drew 155,600 visitors. Markets: Qatar Stock Exchange opened higher, with gains in telecoms, industrials, real estate and banks.

US-Iran Tensions: The US and Iran agreed to halt attacks “for now” and hold talks in Doha Tuesday to ease the Strait of Hormuz dispute, after days of tit-for-tat strikes that left the fragile ceasefire shaky. Maritime Incident: Qatar’s Interior Ministry said a Qatari citizen was killed and an Arab resident injured after a vessel was hit by shrapnel linked to regional military operations; a search followed the ship failing to return on time. Education Support: MOEHE announced over 3,000 free school places for eligible Qatari students at participating private schools via the Maarif platform, with vouchers covering fees. Compliance Workshop: MoCI ran a workshop on anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing compliance, focusing on reporting suspicious transactions through the Ekhtar platform. Health & Safety: MoPH held a heat-stress awareness workshop for about 160 occupational health and safety officials to reduce heat-related injuries. Humanitarian Aid: Qatar’s International Search and Rescue Group began field operations in earthquake-hit areas in Venezuela, providing rescue and medical support. Sports & Culture: eFIBA World Finals Qatar Season 4 is set for July 3-4 at Mall of Qatar, while Qatar’s Scientific Club launched its Summer Camp 2026 with STEM and engineering activities. Tourism Outlook: Qatar expects a surge in summer visitors in the second half of 2026, building on Q1’s 1.13 million arrivals.

Qatar condemns Iran attacks: Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs strongly condemned repeated Iranian missile and drone strikes on Bahrain and Kuwait, calling them a violation of sovereignty and international law, while urging de-escalation and continued dialogue. Humanitarian rescue cooperation: Qatar’s search-and-rescue teams joined Venezuela earthquake response, with a Syrian Civil Defence unit and volunteers from the Qatar Volunteering Center deployed under Qatar’s International Qatari Search and Rescue Group. Digital justice boost: Qatar’s judicial digital transformation is cutting average case duration to 38 days, with 94% of cases resolved within three months and 70+ electronic services expanding access to justice. Digital sovereignty push: Qatar’s Shura speaker urged deeper Arab digital sovereignty and updated legislation to protect privacy and identity at a Cairo Arab parliamentary conference. Transport update for commuters: Doha Metro added a new M154 metrolink route to Rawdat Lusail after temporary tram station closures. Tourism outlook: Qatar tourism expects a rebound in the second half of 2026, with summer events and domestic travel driving visitor numbers. Markets: Qatar Stock Exchange opened higher on Sunday, supported by Industrials, Real Estate and Banks.

Humanitarian Response: Qatar has dispatched a search-and-rescue team and an air bridge of aid to earthquake-hit Venezuela, including USAR specialists, medical teams and field hospitals, as the death toll rises and thousands remain unaccounted for. Regional Diplomacy: Qatar’s PM and foreign minister held calls with Egypt and Saudi Arabia, urging de-escalation, dialogue and freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz after the US-Iran memorandum and amid wider regional tensions. Bahrain Drone Crisis: Qatar strongly condemned Iranian drone attacks on Bahrain as a breach of international law, while GCC, Egypt and others echoed calls for restraint and a return to negotiations. Maritime Security: A tanker carrying Qatari oil was hit in the Strait of Hormuz, damaging its bridge; authorities raised the threat level as attacks continue. World Cup Qatar 2026: Qatari referee Abdulrahman Al Jassim is set to officiate England vs Panama, while Qatar’s SC personnel continue supporting FIFA World Cup operations. Public Health: MOPH and Ehsan launched a Mental Health Promotion Program for senior citizens under “Quality of Life.” Ras Laffan Update: NiDCOM says an injured Nigerian worker discharged from hospital is recovering after the Barzan gas facility explosion.

Qatar-Central Banking: Qatar Central Bank Governor HE Sheikh Bandar bin Mohammed Al Thani met China’s central bank chief Pan Gongsheng in Basel to review bilateral banking and finance ties and explore deeper cooperation. Cybersecurity & Excellence: Qatar’s National Cyber Security Agency launched an intensive training programme to qualify internal assessors under government excellence standards, aiming to strengthen service quality and continuous improvement. Health for Seniors: The Ministry of Public Health, with Ehsan, rolled out its Mental Health Promotion Program for senior citizens (“Quality of Life”), running about 80 workshops and lectures for roughly 180 seniors from January to June, with activities continuing to September. Copyright Enforcement: The Ministry of Commerce and Industry detected audiovisual copyright violations during nationwide inspection campaigns, targeting public display and transmission without rights-holder permits. Community Fitness in Heat: Residents are turning malls into early-morning fitness spaces as summer temperatures rise, with some running clubs moving indoors to keep routines going. Ras Laffan Repatriations: India’s embassy in Doha confirmed the repatriation of the remaining eight Indian victims’ mortal remains on June 26, completing return of all 12 Indians killed in the Ras Laffan industrial accident, while embassy officials visited injured workers in Al Khor. Precision Medicine: Sidra Medicine launched a specialized Microbiome Service for women, children and young people, supporting precision care and research, and plans a MENA Microbiome Conference in October 2026. Sports: Neeraj Chopra is set to defend his Asian Games javelin title in Japan after recovering from a lower back injury, with AFI confirming his participation.

US-Iran de-escalation in focus: The US and Iran have set up a direct military communication line in Doha to reduce the risk of incidents in the Strait of Hormuz, with JD Vance saying IRGC-CENTCOM contacts will help prevent flare-ups as talks continue. Hormuz shipping and energy markets: With Hormuz reopening and traffic gradually returning, LNG prices are still slow to normalize, while analysts flag ongoing risks for traded gas and oil benchmarks. Qatar’s diplomatic role: Qatar is highlighted as a key mediator in the US-Iran framework, alongside Pakistan, as officials describe Doha’s involvement in keeping negotiations on track. Qatar humanitarian response: Qatar has launched an air bridge of six aircraft to Venezuela after devastating earthquakes, sending search-and-rescue teams, field hospitals and aid. Local and regional governance: Qatar’s Ministry of Interior met Canada’s public safety leadership to strengthen cooperation under a new MoU. Business and society: Qatar ranks third in Forbes Middle East’s Top 100 Arab family businesses list, with 10 Qatari firms featured. Sports spotlight: Qatar’s World Cup campaign ended after a loss to Bosnia, while Australia qualified for the Round of 32 after a 0-0 draw with Paraguay.

Retail Expansion: LuLu Group says it will invest QR500m (US$137m) to open three new Qatar hypermarkets in Baraha Town, Al Waab and Qetaifan Island, with openings expected in 8–10 months. World Cup & Culture: FIFA ruled rainbow flags are allowed inside Seattle’s Lumen Field for Egypt-Iran, despite objections from both federations. Qatar Football: Coach Julen Lopetegui defended Akram Afif after Qatar’s World Cup exit, saying Afif’s impact went beyond goals and assists. Public Safety & Health: Qatar’s Public Prosecution held an awareness seminar on drug abuse and illicit trafficking, stressing national and Gulf cooperation. Education Access: MoEHE says its social responsibility initiative has provided over 9,000 free or discounted school seats, with voucher applications reopened. Aviation Links: Qatar Airways will resume direct flights to Canberra from 8 December (four weekly, then daily from March). Energy & Trade: Qatar’s QSE ended the week down 2.18% as investors awaited Q2 earnings amid weaker oil and cautious sentiment. Regional Security: US and GCC states called for reopening the Strait of Hormuz with free, unrestricted navigation and rejected tolls or attempts to control the waterway.

Labour Reform: Qatar’s Ministry of Labour says new amendments to Labour Law No. (9) of 2026 aim to make the market more flexible and investor-friendly, including rules for part-time and freelance work, tighter recruitment oversight, and clearer limits on non-compete clauses. Ras Laffan Update: The Indian Embassy in Doha says the mortal remains of 4 of 12 Indian victims from the Ras Laffan incident have been repatriated, with efforts continuing for the rest. World Cup Fallout: Qatar’s campaign ended with a 3-1 loss to Bosnia and Herzegovina, leaving the team with one point and another group-stage exit, despite a more confident final showing. Diplomacy & Iran-US Talks: US and Iran negotiations continue in Switzerland with Qatar and Pakistan involved, while American experts credit Qatar’s mediation for helping secure a ceasefire and reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Business & Finance: HSBC Qatar opens its first Wealth Centre inside its new Msheireb Downtown Doha headquarters, targeting Premier and high-net-worth clients. Real Estate: Weekly data shows real estate trading hit about QR545.3m in sales contracts from June 14-18. Community & Culture: Qatar Toy Festival 2026 returns at DECC from July 1-31 with new immersive zones and family activities.