[U.S.-Iran Conflict Escalation Drags Down Gulf Stock Markets, Qatar QE Index Drops 0.8%] Odaily Planet Daily News – Qatar's stock market led the decline across most major Gulf markets, continuing its recent downward trend. This follows the largest escalation in conflict between the U.S. and Iran since the two sides reached a 60-day peace agreement last month. A new report from the International Monetary Fund indicates that Qatar is the commodity-producing country most directly affected by disruptions in energy production and transportation. The Qatar QE Index fell 0.8%, Saudi Arabia's benchmark index dropped 0.4%, and the Dubai Financial Market General Index declined 0.2%.