The Doha News live blog is updated regularly amid the developments in Qatar in light of Iran’s attacks on the country amid the war with Israel and the United States.
Updates since Sunday morning
- Qatar has joined the United States and five other Arab states in condemning Iran’s “indiscriminate and reckless missile and drone attacks” across the region.
- Iran’s attacks on U.S. interests in Qatar continued into Sunday. This comes after the U.S. and Israel struck Iran on Saturday despite negotiations between Tehran and Washington.
- As of Sunday morning, Qatar recorded 16 injuries due to falling debris from the missiles in various areas.
- Iran’s retaliatory attacks on U.S. interests in the region continued, including in Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates.
- Qatar’s population received new alerts in the morning urging them to avoid leaving their homes as a precaution.
- Qatar’s airspace remains closed and Qatar Airways’ flights have not resumed.
- Residents felt moments of calm since around 10:00am local time.
Qatar joins regional statement condemning Iran attacks
Qatar, the United States, Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates issued a joint statement condemning Iran’s “indiscriminate and reckless missile and drone attacks” across the region.
The seven countries said the strikes “violate the sovereignty of multiple states and threaten regional stability”, and endanger civilians and damage infrastructure.
They described the attacks as a “dangerous escalation”, reaffirmed their right to self-defence and said coordinated air defence efforts helped prevent greater casualties.
GCC foreign ministers hold emergency meeting
A virtual Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) meeting took place at the level of foreign ministers on Sunday evening to discuss Iran’s latest attacks on member states.
The foreign ministers renewed their condemnation of the attacks while affirming joint solidarity in confronting the Iranian attacks and in defending their sovereignty, security and national interests while reserving their right to respond and to self-defence.
Qatar’s PM-FM receives more phone calls from officials
Sheikh Mohammed received more phone calls over the latest regional situation on Sunday evening from various officials who expressed their condemnation of Iran’s attacks on Qatar.
The officials included the Netherlands’ Foreign Minister Tom Berendsen and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store.
HIA operations remain suspended in light of airspace closure
Flight operations at Hamad International Airport (HIA) remain suspended and will resume once the Qatar Civil Aviation Authority (QCAA) announces the safe reopening of Qatari airspace.
The airport said the safety and well-being of passengers and employees remain its top priority and advised travellers not to proceed to the airport.
Passengers were urged to check with their respective airlines for the latest flight information until further notice.
MOI prohibits the use of drones until further notice
The MOI announced a ban on the use, operation, or launch of drones of all types, sizes and technologies across the country until further notice in light of the current situation.
The ministry said the ban applies to citizens, residents and visitors, as well government and semi-government bodies, companies, institutions and other groups.
MOCI confirms availability of goods, urges responsible shopping
The Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MOCI) has advised residents in Qatar to shop responsibly and avoid excessive stockpiling, reassuring the public that goods remain widely available across retail outlets.
UK-Qatar Typhoon Squadron downs Doha-bound Iranian drone
A Royal Air Force Typhoon operating from Qatar as part of the joint UK–Qatar Typhoon Squadron shot down an Iranian drone heading toward the Gulf state on Sunday.
The UK Ministry of Defence said in a statement that the Typhoon jet was conducting a defensive air patrol when it engaged the drone, using an air‑to‑air missile to intercept it.
MOI urges strict adherence to Early Warning System alerts
The MOI has emphasised the importance of strictly following alerts issued through the Early Warning System and promptly acting on the instructions provided.
Authorities urged residents to remain in safe locations, stressing that compliance is essential to public safety and the protection of lives and property amid ongoing developments.
Qatar extends remote working for government employees
Qatar’s Council of Ministers Secretariat General confirmed that the remote work directive has been extended until 2 March for employees across ministries, government entities and public institutions, in light of the current regional situation.
Military, security, and health sector employees, as well as those whose duties require their physical presence, are exempt from the decision.
Qatar’s Amir receives more phone calls
Qatar’s Amir received more phone calls from leaders on Sunday evening in light of the current regional situation.
The leaders included Iraqi President Abdul Latif Jamal Rashid, Chairman of Libya’s Presidential Council Mohamed Al Menfi, Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, and South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir Mayardit.
The list also included Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and Mauritania’s President Mohamed Ould Cheikh El Ghazouani.
Kazakhstan’s President sends a solidarity message to Qatar’s Amir
Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev sent a message of solidarity to Qatar’s Amir on Sunday. The letter renewed Kazakhstan’s condemnation of Iran’s attack on Qatar, reiterating calls for peaceful dialogue and diplomacy to resolve conflicts.
“Kazakhstan stands ready to provide any possible assistance and to maintain high-level engagement,” the Kazakh President said in the letter, seen by Doha News.
“During this sacred month of Ramadan, I wish Your Highness every success in your noble endeavours, as well as prosperity and well-being to the brotherly people of Qatar,” he added.
U.S. authorises departure of non-emergency government personnel and their family members
The U.S. Embassy in Qatar updated the Travel Advisory Level to “Level 3: Reconsider Travel” due to safety risks, authorising the departure of non-emergency U.S. government personnel and their family members to leave Doha.
“The notice advises U.S. operators to review current threat information and to report safety or security incidents. For more information, Americans should consult the Federal Aviation Administration,” the embassy said.
MOI urges population urging the public to remain indoors
The MOI issued a public notice on Sunday urging the population to remain indoors and to refrain from going out except in cases of absolute necessity.
Qatari, Emirati defence officials hold phone call
Sheikh Saud received a phone call from Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of the UAE, Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.
Both sides discussed the latest military escalations in the region and areas of cooperation in light of the current circumstances.
Qatar’s PM-FM receives more phone calls from officials
Qatar’s prime minister received more phone calls from officials over the current regional situation, particularly the Iranian attacks on Doha and the rest of the Gulf region.
The officials included Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand, UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper, and Sudanese Prime Minister Kamil Al Tayeb Idris.
The officials condemned the attacks on Qatar while calling for the immediate cessation of all escalations.
Qatar’s Amir receives more solidarity phone calls
Qatar’s Amir received more phone calls from leaders expressing their solidarity with the Gulf state following Iran’s attacks on its territories.
The list included the Prime Minister of Libya’s Government of National Unity, Abdul Hamid Dbeibah, and Chairman of Sudan’s Transitional Sovereignty Council, Abdel Fattah Al Burhan.
Sheikh Tamim also received phone calls from Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, and President of Cyprus Nikos Christodoulides.
CENTCOM: three U.S. military personnel killed in Iran operations
The U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) has confirmed that three U.S. service members were killed and five others seriously wounded in action as part of the ongoing Israel–U.S. war on Iran.
Several additional personnel sustained minor injuries, CENTCOM said in a statement.
Qatar cancels Garangao events
Qatar’s Ministry of Municipality has announced the cancellation of Garangao events scheduled for 3 and 4 March, citing precautionary measures and directives issued to ensure public safety.
The ministry said the decision was taken out of responsibility towards public safety and in light of current circumstances.
Garangao is a mid-Ramadan tradition celebrated across the Gulf, during which children receive sweets and gifts to mark the halfway point of the holy month.
Uzbek embassy confirms no citizens injured in Qatar
The Embassy of Uzbekistan in Doha has confirmed that no Uzbek nationals were injured in the recent attack in Qatar, urging citizens to remain calm and follow official guidance.
Qatar, Kuwait defence ministers hold phone call
Qatar’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Defence Affairs Sheikh Saud bin Abdulrahman Al Thani held a phone call on Saturday evening with Kuwait’s Minister of Defence Sheikh Abdullah Ali Abdullah Al-Salem Al-Sabah.
During the call, the two sides reviewed the latest regional developments and security updates, and discussed avenues for cooperation and joint coordination in response to the current circumstances.
UK advises against non-essential travel to Qatar
The United Kingdom’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office has advised against all non-essential travel to Qatar, while urging British nationals in the Gulf state to register their presence.
Qatar’s PM-FM receives more phone calls
Qatar’s Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani received phone calls from numerous officials in light of the situation in the region.
The officials included Malta’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs Ian Borg; Cyprus’s Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos, and Croatian Foreign Minister Gordan Grlic-Radman; and India’s Minister of External Affairs Subrahmanyam Jaishankar.
Sheikh Mohammed also received phone calls from Uzbekistan’s Foreign Minister Bakhtiyor Saidov and Italy’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Antonio Tajani.
The calls reviewed developments in the military escalation in the region and its serious repercussions on security and stability regionally and internationally, according to statements by Qatar’s foreign ministry.
QFA postpones events until further notice
The Qatar Football Association announced the postponement of all tournaments, competitions, and matches, effective from Sunday until further notice and the dates for the resumption of tournaments will be announced later through the Association’s official channels.
GCC foreign ministers to hold virtual meeting Sunday
The Gulf Cooperation Council’s foreign ministers are reportedly holding a virtual emergency meeting over the latest regional developments, Al Jazeera reported on Sunday, citing a well-informed Gulf source.
U.S. Embassy in Qatar urges citizens to shelter in place, remain vigilant
The U.S. embassy in Qatar said it continues to maintain a shelter-in-place for all personnel while asking citizens to “remain vigilant as the Iranian government and its proxies may seek to target Americans in retaliation” for the U.S. strikes against Iran.
The consular section also cancelled all routine consular appointments for the week of March 1 and it will communicate when the consular section returns to normal operations.
Sheikh Tamim receives phone call from Turkish President
Qatar’s Amir received a phone call today from Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Sunday.
During the phone call, Erdogan voiced his strong condemnation of targeting the Qatari territories and those of Arab nations, according to the Amiri Diwan. Sheikh Tamim also thanked Erdogan for his solidarity with Qatar.
Qatar condemns Iran’s attacks on Oman port, oil tanker
Qatar has strongly condemned Iran’s attacks on Oman’s commercial Port of Duqm and an oil tanker off its coast.
In a statement, Qatar’s foreign ministry called the attack a violation of the Sultanate’s sovereignty, an unacceptable escalation, and a cowardly targeting of a country playing an active role in mediation efforts between Iran and the international community.
Qatar’s Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Majed Al-Ansari echoed the Gulf state’s outrage over the attack, especially given Oman’s central mediation role between the U.S. and Iran.
“As we warned when Qatar was targeted for its mediation, this attack represents a dangerous pattern that threatens the role of mediators and undermines one of the most important tools for containing crises & preserving peace & stability,” he said on X.
Ministry of Defence: drones and missiles shot down
Qatar’s Ministry of Defence announced that the Qatar Armed Forces fighter jets, in addition to the use of air defence systems, intercepted air attacks involving drones and Cruise missiles launched by Iran towards the country’s airspace on Sunday.
The ministry said the early warning and detection systems identified the targets immediately upon their entry into the surveillance range.
Qatar expands security patrols
Security patrols and emergency teams are being deployed across the country as part of ongoing monitoring, Qatar’s Ministry of Interior said on Sunday.
Authorities urged the public to avoid gatherings and stay clear of incident sites to allow ambulances, Civil Defence, and security units to operate effectively.
The ministry also warned against approaching suspicious objects or unidentified remains, advising people to report them immediately by calling 999.
Fire from falling shrapnel contained in Industrial Area
Qatar’s Civil Defence dealt with a minor fire in the Industrial Area caused by falling shrapnel following the interception of a missile, with no injuries reported, the MoI announced.
Trump warns Iran against ‘harder’ retaliation
Trump warned Iran against carrying out a stronger retaliatory strike, saying the U.S. would respond with unprecedented force if Tehran escalates its attacks.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump said Iran had signaled it planned to “hit very hard today, harder than they have ever hit before,” adding that any such move would be met “with a force that has never been seen before”.
Qatari, Saudi defence ministers hold phone call
Qatar’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Defence Affairs Sheikh Saud bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, received a phone call from Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Defence Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.
The officials reviewed recent regional security developments and discussed opportunities for cooperation and joint coordination amid the ongoing escalations.
Qatar Airways flights remain temporarily suspended
Qatar Airways announced that its flight operations will remain temporarily suspended due to the closure of Qatari airspace. It said operations will resume once the Qatar Civil Aviation Authority announces the safe reopening of Qatari airspace.
The airline will provide another update on Monday, March 2, by 09:00am Doha local time.
Residents receive new phone alerts
Qatar issued a new emergency alert on Sunday morning after multiple explosions were heard in Doha, instructing residents to remain indoors except in cases of emergency until the danger has passed.
Minister of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs receives phone calls
Qatar’s Minister of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Mohammed Al-Khulaifi received phone calls from various officials over the latest situation in the country.
The officials included Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar, Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Al Shaibani, and Cyprus’s Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos.
“The call dealt with discussing developments of the military escalation in the region and its serious repercussions on regional and international security and stability, as well as ways to resolve all disputes peacefully,” Qatar’s foreign ministry said in a statement.
IRGC vows violent attacks
The IRGC said it will launch a “violent attack” on Israel and U.S. military bases across the Middle East, according to Al Jazeera.
The IRGC began targeting American military installations on Saturday, with strikes reported in the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, and Saudi Arabia.
Loud explosions echo in Doha Sunday morning
Loud explosions echoed across Doha early morning on Sunday, a day after Iran launched several missiles against Qatar, which were intercepted.
Sunday’s explosions come hours after Iran confirmed the death of its Supreme Leader.
Iran’s state media confirms killing of Supreme Leader
Iranian state media confirms Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has been killed, following earlier reports circulated by Israeli officials and U.S. President Donald Trump that he had been assassinated in an Israeli strike on Saturday.
The attacks also killed commander-in-chief of Iran’s IRGC (Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps), Mohammad Pakpour, and the secretary of Iran’s Defence Council Ali Shamkhani.
Total 16 injuries in Qatar
Qatar’s Ministry of Interior (MoI) said eight additional injuries have been recorded, bringing the total to 16 since the attacks began on Saturday, with limited material damage reported.
Emergency response plans were activated immediately, with security and Civil Defence teams deployed to protect public safety and maintain essential services.
Authorities urged residents to follow official instructions, remain indoors unless necessary, avoid debris and report suspicious objects to 999, while relying only on official sources for updates.
Ministry of Defence: 18 missiles intercepted
Qatar’s Ministry of Defence (MOD) announced that it intercepted 18 ballistic missiles that targeted several areas within the country. It noted the threat was immediately dealt with upon detection.
The MOD assured that the Qatari Armed Forces “possess full capabilities and resources to protect” the country.
Residents spot debris from intercepted missiles
Residents captured footage of debris from an intercepted missile seen on a road near Doha Industrial Area Sunday midnight.
Qatar’s Amir receives more phone calls from Arab leaders
Qatar’s Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani received more phone calls from Arab leaders, who expressed their solidarity with Doha amid Iran’s attacks on the United States’ interests in the country.
The leaders included Morocco’s King Mohammed VI, Oman’s Sultan Haitham bin Tariq Al Said, and Syrian President Ahmed Al Sharaa.
The phone calls stressed the need for de-escalation in the region and intensifying diplomatic efforts to maintain its security and stability.
