Qatar Airways Suspends All Flights Due to Iran-US-Israel Conflict
Qatar Airways has confirmed the temporary suspension of all flights from and to Doha after local authorities closed Qatar’s airspace amid escalating conflict in the Gulf region.
In its official statement on X account @qatarairways, Qatar Airways Group cited the suspension as a response to rapidly developing security circumstances. The airline is currently coordinating closely with government stakeholders and relevant authorities to assist affected passengers.
“Flight operations will resume after airspace is declared safe and reopened,” the airline stated.
Qatar Airways also anticipates flight schedule delays following the return to normal operations. To minimise impact on passengers, additional ground staff have been deployed at Hamad International Airport and several other major airports.
“Passenger and employee safety remains our top priority, and we apologise for any inconvenience caused,” the airline’s official statement read.
“Latest information can be accessed through qatarairways.com, the Qatar Airways application, and official company channels on X. Media can contact the Media Enquiry Centre at +974 4022 2200,” the airline concluded.
Qatar’s airspace closure followed Iran’s launch of retaliatory ballistic missile strikes that struck several Gulf capital cities, including Riyadh, Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Doha, and Manama. The strikes were described as a response to waves of air strikes launched by the United States and Israel against Iranian territory.
Explosions were heard across various cities, whilst smoke was seen rising from the Juffair area in Bahrain, home to a major US Navy base. The United Arab Emirates Ministry of Defence reported one civilian death in Abu Dhabi from falling debris.
Oil and gas-rich Gulf states, including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates, have long been known as allies of Washington and host various US military facilities.
Qatar’s Ministry of Defence stated that its air defence system successfully intercepted several missiles. An AFP journalist witnessed interceptor missiles destroying one missile in the air. The United Arab Emirates condemned the strikes and described them as a dangerous escalation.
“The United Arab Emirates today became the target of overt missile attacks by Iranian ballistic missiles,” the UAE Ministry of Defence stated as cited by AFP. “The UAE air defence responded with high efficiency and successfully intercepted several missiles.”
Saudi Arabia also strongly condemned the strikes. A Lebanese resident living in Riyadh expressed the panic he felt. “I heard the explosions, I do not know what I felt,” he said. “We came to the Gulf because it is known to be safer than Lebanon. Now I do not know what to do or how to think.”
Previously, the conflict escalated after the United States and Israel launched massive waves of air strikes against Iranian territory on Saturday (28 February). The operation triggered rapid retaliatory strikes from Tehran targeting US military bases and Gulf state territories.
The strikes specifically targeted important figures in Iran’s power circles. “Iran’s Supreme Leader Khamenei and President Masoud Pezeshkian were among the targets of these strikes,” according to reports cited from AFP.
Additionally, the Supreme Leader’s adviser and former Iranian Defence Minister Ali Shamkhani was also reported to be a target, although the results of strikes against these officials have not been fully confirmed.
An Israeli security source stated that the operation aimed to weaken threats to its country. “In our opening strike, we targeted high-profile targets, individuals involved in plans to destroy Israel,” the source said.
This escalation has triggered concerns about the outbreak of large-scale open conflict in the Middle East. The European Union has reportedly begun evacuating non-essential personnel from the region as a precautionary measure against potential deterioration of the security situation.
Indonesia has stated its readiness to mediate dialogue between the United States and Iran to ease rapidly rising tensions in the Middle East.