In a major escalation in West Asia, Iran confirmed that it launched missile strikes on the US-run Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar as retaliation for recent American attacks on its nuclear facilities. The strike has prompted Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Iraq, and the United Arab Emirates to shut down their airspace “until further notice,” disrupting aviation routes across one of the world’s busiest regions for international air travel.
Gulf Tensions Soar After Missile Strikes
Iran’s National Security Council released a statement on Monday, confirming the strike. “In response to the US aggressive and insolent action against Iran’s nuclear sites and facilities, a few hours ago, the powerful armed forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran struck the US air base in Al-Udeid, Qatar,” the statement read. The council also noted that the number of missiles used matched the number of bombs dropped by the US during its recent attacks.
While Iran insisted the operation posed “no threat” to Qatar, its government strongly condemned the missile strike. “We express the State of Qatar’s strong condemnation of the attack on Al Udeid Air Base by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps, and consider it a flagrant violation of the State of Qatar’s sovereignty and airspace, as well as of international law,” said foreign ministry spokesman Majed Al-Ansari.
Airspace Closures Disrupt Aviation
Following the attack, Qatar announced the temporary closure of its airspace, citing “precautionary measures” in response to regional instability. This forced multiple flights to divert from Doha.
Other Gulf nations followed suit. Bahrain suspended air traffic, calling the move “a precautionary measure in light of recent regional developments,” according to Bahrain News Agency. Kuwait’s Civil Aviation Directorate also declared an indefinite airspace closure, citing security concerns and regional precedents.
The United Arab Emirates joined the precautionary measures. Flight tracking website Flightradar24 confirmed the disruption, stating, “Lots of aircraft are forced to turn around.”
A US defence official confirmed that Al Udeid was targeted by both short-range and medium-range ballistic missiles launched from Iran, but added, “there are no reports of US casualties.”
The Al Udeid base is one of the US military’s most critical assets in West Asia, and the latest exchange underscores rising regional instability with broader implications for global security and air travel.