Qatar has temporarily closed its airspace in response to escalating regional tensions, according to a statement by its foreign ministry on X. The move is described as a safety measure to protect residents and visitors.
The decision follows renewed threats from Iran to retaliate against the U.S. after recent American strikes on Iranian nuclear sites, heightening concerns across the Gulf region. Several Doha-bound flights are diverting, mostly to Saudi Arabia, or returning to their deârture airport.
Iranian state media have announced Iran has begun its “mighty and victorious” response to U.S. strikes.
The state-run Tasnim agency says that Iran’s Revolutionary Guard launched missiles at US bases in Qatar and Iraq. In the last few minutes, we’ve seen reports of explosions heard in Qatar.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Dan Caine are in the Situation Room, according to a White House official.
A senior official said earlier that White House and Defense Department officials were monitoring potential threats to Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar. President Donald Trump toured the base last month, the first commander in chief to visit since 2003. It is the largest US military installation in the Middle East.
Qatar also ‘strongly condemns’ attack on US air base. Majed al-Ansari, official spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, writes on X: “We consider this a flagrant violation of the sovereignty of the State of Qatar, its airspace, international law, and the United Nations charter.”
(with input from BBC and CNN)