Qatar Closes Airspace After Iran Launches Missiles At U.S. Bases Amid Escalating Tensions

Doha, June 23 – Qatar has temporarily closed its airspace following Iran’s launch of six ballistic missiles targeting U.S. military bases inside the Gulf state. The strikes, which followed closely on the heels of U.S. airstrikes against Iranian nuclear sites, mark a major escalation in the ongoing conflict involving the United States, Iran, and Israel.

According to the Qatari foreign ministry, the airspace closure is a precautionary and temporary measure prompted by the imminent threat of Iranian retaliation. This follows U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision over the weekend to authorize airstrikes on three key Iranian nuclear facilities — Fordow, Natanz, and Esfahan — using bunker-buster bombs.

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Shortly after the strikes, Iran vowed to retaliate. On Monday, the threat materialized with a missile barrage aimed at Al Udeid Air Base, a key U.S. military installation in Qatar. The base plays a strategic role in American military operations across the Middle East and is also vital for surveillance and logistics.

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Sources told Fox News and Reuters that intelligence suggests more Iranian strikes could occur within the next 24 to 48 hours. In light of the situation, the U.S. Embassy in Qatar has advised all American citizens to shelter in place until further notice, and the U.S. Embassy in Bahrain has reduced its on-site staff due to “heightened regional tensions.”

Qatar, home to Qatar Airways, one of the Middle East’s largest carriers, is now at the center of growing aviation and geopolitical risk. The closure of Qatari airspace is disrupting commercial aviation, as carriers are forced to reroute around the Gulf due to increasing airspace security concerns.

Iranian leadership, including Ayatollah Khamenei’s adviser Ali Akbar Velayati, warned that U.S. military bases in the region or elsewhere could be targeted in response to American aggression.

As the region braces for further developments, airlines, governments, and travelers are watching closely. The situation is rapidly evolving, with significant implications for Middle East security, global aviation, and U.S.-Iran relations.

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