Explosions heard in Qatar as Iranian missiles target US airbase

( JPost )

Explosions were heard over Doha, Qatar's capital on Monday evening.

Authorities issued a warning that US Central Command (CENTCOM)'s Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar could be the target of an imminent Iranian attack, The Jerusalem Post was told on Monday evening by a source familiar with the details.

Al Udeid Air Base is the largest US base in the Middle East, and serves as the forward headquarters for CENTCOM, accommodating approximately 10,000 troops.

Iran also launched missiles towards US bases in Iraq, a source told the Post. According to the source, six missiles were launched towards Al Udeid Air Base and one towards US troops in Iraq.

Air defense systems were activated in Ain al-Asad Air Base in Iraq, a US military source told Reuters. A maximum alert status was declared with personnel ordered to take shelter in bunkers, the source added.

Qatar said it has shut down airspace temporarily as part of measures taken amid developments in the region, a statement by the Qatari foreign ministry said on X.

This is a temporary closure for a few hours, and indicates the possibility that the Iranian attack could occur later this evening or tonight, the source told the Post.

It said the move comes to ensure safety of residents and visitors.

The shutdown of Qatari airspace comes as Iran repeated earlier threats to retaliate against the United States after strikes on its nuclear sites.

Iran is moving missile launchers into place for a potential attack on US forces according to officials cited by The Wall Street Journal.

Washington is tracking a credible threat to CENTCOM's bases in the region, one of the officials said.

The US embassy in Qatar emailed US citizens in the Gulf country on Monday recommending that they shelter in place until further notice, triggering a slew of messages from various Doha-based institutions to employees and students while Qatar maintained the situation was stable.

The embassy's advice comes as Iran repeated earlier threats to retaliate against the United States after strikes on its nuclear sites.

The US embassy message noted that the recommendation was "out of an abundance of caution" and offered no further information.

Commenting on the message, Qatari foreign ministry spokesperson Majed Al Ansari said in a statement that the security situation in the country remained stable, adding that the embassy's advisory did not suggest any specific threat.