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Qatar temporarily suspended all air traffic on Monday as Iran fired missiles targeting the U.S. base in the Gulf country, while some Western embassies urged their citizens to shelter in place.
Qatar’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement that the move was a precautionary measure aimed at ensuring the safety of citizens, residents, and visitors.
“In light of Qatar’s commitment to the safety of all individuals on its territory, the (authorities) have decided to temporarily suspend air navigation in the country’s airspace,” the ministry said.
Officials emphasized that the suspension was part of a broader set of precautionary steps taken in response to “evolving regional conditions.” The government said it is “closely and continuously monitoring the situation” and coordinating with regional and international partners to assess developments.
“The safety and security of everyone in Qatar remains a top priority,” the ministry said, adding that updates will be provided through official channels and that authorities stand ready to implement further protective measures if needed.
The move comes a day after U.S. forces launched coordinated airstrikes on three Iranian nuclear sites—Fordo, Natanz, and Isfahan—in what has become the most serious escalation in the region since Israel began its offensive against Iran on June 13.
The U.S. strikes, carried out with bunker-buster bombs and submarine-launched cruise missiles, followed Tehran’s retaliatory attacks on Israeli territory.
Since hostilities began, Israeli officials say at least 25 people have been killed and hundreds injured by Iranian missile strikes. In Iran, 430 people have been killed and more than 3,500 wounded in Israeli attacks, according to the Iranian Health Ministry.
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