Qatar shuts down airspace amid Iran-Israel conflict

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.

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

“As part of the State of Qatar’s commitment to the safety of its citizens, residents, and visitors, the relevant authorities announce the temporary suspension of air traffic in the country’s airspace,” the ministry said.

“This is part of a set of precautionary measures taken based on developments in the region,” it added.

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

Qatar is home to the United States’ largest base in the region.

Earlier on Monday, the British government issued a warning recommending that UK citizens in Qatar shelter in place until further notice.

The recommendation followed a similar warning the US government issued to its citizens in the Gulf state.

Following the US warning in Doha, Qatar’s foreign ministry spokesman Majed al-Ansari said warnings by foreign embassies “do not necessarily reflect the existence of specific or credible threats.”

“We would like to reassure the public that the security situation in the state remains stable,” he wrote on X. “Qatar continues to exert intensive diplomatic efforts to de-escalate tensions in the region.”