Representational.
Doha: Iran launched a missile attack on Qatar on Saturday as tensions in West Asia continued to escalate amid the ongoing regional conflict. Qatar’s Ministry of Defence confirmed that its air defence systems successfully intercepted the missiles before they could reach their intended targets. Authorities said the attack was neutralised and did not immediately release further details regarding the number of missiles involved or the exact locations targeted.
The strike comes at a time when Iran had earlier expressed regret over attacks affecting neighbouring countries. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian had recently apologised for the spillover of hostilities into the region, saying Tehran did not intend to threaten nearby nations. Despite this statement, the latest missile launch against Qatar has raised fresh concerns about the widening scope of the conflict and the growing risks for Gulf countries.
The war in the region began on February 28, following a series of strikes on Iran by the United States and Israel. Since then, Iran has responded with a series of missile and drone attacks targeting military assets and strategic locations linked to its adversaries across the Middle East. The escalating confrontation has heightened security alerts across several Gulf states, forcing them to strengthen air defence measures and closely monitor potential threats.
Meanwhile, Qatar has begun cautiously restoring air travel after days of disruption caused by the conflict. Authorities partially reopened the country’s airspace in a controlled manner as part of efforts to resume flight operations to and from Doha. Aviation officials said priority was being given to passengers with urgent travel needs, including elderly travellers, individuals requiring medical assistance and others facing emergency situations.
Airspace over Qatar had been temporarily closed after the conflict erupted, leading to widespread flight cancellations and diversions across the region. According to media reports, one of the first flights to depart after the reopening was an Airbus A380 that left Doha for London on Saturday morning. Officials say the gradual reopening aims to ease travel disruptions while ensuring safety amid the volatile security situation.