Qatar Airways announced on Monday that it will operate a limited number of flights to and from Doha starting Wednesday through March 28. The airline said the restricted schedule covers dozens of destinations across Africa, Europe, Asia, the Middle East, North and South America, and the Asia Pacific. The carrier explained that its regular operations remain suspended due to the closure of Qatari airspace and that full services will resume once the Qatar Civil Aviation Authority declares the airspace safe for reopening.

The decision comes as air travel across the Middle East faces severe disruption following the US and Israel’s military assault on Iran on February 28. The attacks triggered retaliatory Iranian missile and drone strikes across the region, affecting several Gulf countries that serve as major aviation hubs. Many travelers remain stranded as airspace restrictions persist.

In the United Arab Emirates, authorities reported that flights at Dubai International Airport were gradually resuming after a drone-related incident caused a nearby fuel tank fire. Officials confirmed the fire was contained and no injuries occurred.

Qatar’s Foreign Ministry stated that diplomatic discussions cannot proceed unless Iran stops its ongoing attacks. At a weekly briefing, ministry spokesperson Majed Al-Ansari said that diplomacy could only resume if the assaults end, emphasizing that as long as Gulf countries remain under attack, it is not the time to form committees. He called for a firm stance to protect regional nations and demanded an immediate halt to the strikes.

Al-Ansari rejected a proposal from Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi to form a committee to investigate attacks on civilian infrastructure in Gulf states. Iran has denied involvement in such attacks. The Qatari spokesperson noted that threats and strikes on civilian targets have continued since the conflict began, citing a missile intercepted near a residential area in Doha. He added that partial evacuation orders were issued after Iranian media warned that certain companies and areas could be targeted.

Al-Ansari said Qatar is working to reduce tensions but is unaware of any formal mediation between the United States and Iran at this time.

Qatar’s Interior Minister Sheikh Khalifa bin Hamad said on Friday that the country’s security situation remains stable despite ongoing Iranian drone and missile attacks across the Middle East. Speaking to Qatar Television, he confirmed that the government has contingency plans to address potential future strikes and emphasized readiness to take any necessary measures to preserve national stability. He noted that Qatar’s early warning system has been effective, with authorities responding to reports of missile fragments at over 600 sites nationwide. The minister also assured that Qatar has sufficient water and food reserves to sustain the population for extended periods.

The statement comes as Gulf nations face intensified Iranian attacks following the United States and Israel’s launch of a war against Iran on February 28. Although Iran claims to be targeting US and Israeli military assets, its strikes have damaged civilian infrastructure, including oil and gas facilities, slowing regional energy production. The closure of the Strait of Hormuz has further heightened global economic concerns.

Earlier this week, the UN Security Council condemned the Iranian attacks, while Qatar’s UN ambassador described them as violations of international law and damaging to regional relations.

Qatar has rejected allegations from Israeli media suggesting it deliberately stopped liquefied natural gas (LNG) production to influence energy prices in the United States. A senior Qatari official told Al Jazeera on Thursday that such claims were an attempt to “drive a wedge” between Qatar and the US, emphasizing that the country prioritizes safety over political or economic gain. The official accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s media allies of exploiting global instability to create regional tension.

QatarEnergy, which supplies 20 percent of the world’s LNG, suspended production last week after an Iranian drone attack hit two sites in Mesaieed Industrial City and Ras Laffan. The Qatari Ministry of Defence confirmed the strikes targeted a water tank and an energy facility belonging to QatarEnergy. The official dismissed Israeli analyst Amit Segal’s assertion that the production halt reflected coordination between Iran and Qatar to pressure an end to the war.

Qatar warned that such narratives risk escalating regional instability and called for restraint and de-escalation amid ongoing tensions.

Qatar has accused Iran of launching nine ballistic missiles and several drones into its territory. According to the Qatari defense ministry, one of the missiles landed in an uninhabited area, while the rest were intercepted by Qatari forces. The incident reportedly occurred amid heightened regional tensions.

The report, citing Al Jazeera, adds that the missile and drone attacks originated from Iran. The Qatari defense ministry provided no details on casualties or damage beyond confirming that most of the projectiles were neutralized. The event follows a series of regional escalations, including attacks on ships in the Persian Gulf and Hormuz Strait, and recent Iranian strikes in Israel that injured 179 people.

The situation underscores growing instability in the Gulf region, with multiple incidents involving Iran and neighboring states raising concerns about broader conflict across the Middle East.

Qatar’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Sheikha Alya Ahmed bin Saif Al Thani, has called the Iranian attack on Qatar completely unjustified. Speaking at a press conference at the UN headquarters in New York, she said the assault has increased tensions and endangered civilian lives while damaging infrastructure. She urged the UN Security Council to take action in response to the situation.

According to the statement, the Qatari envoy condemned the attack as unacceptable and emphasized the threat it poses to regional stability. The remarks came amid rising unrest in the Middle East, where reports indicate multiple cross-border strikes and growing insecurity. The call for UN intervention reflects Qatar’s concern over escalating hostilities and the need for international measures to prevent further deterioration.

The appeal to the Security Council underscores Qatar’s reliance on multilateral diplomacy to address security threats and maintain regional peace, as tensions between Iran and neighboring states continue to intensify.

Qatar’s Foreign Minister Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Al-Khulaifi has called on the United States and Iran to return to the negotiating table to ease regional tensions. In an interview with Al Jazeera, he said that Iran’s attacks on neighboring countries would not benefit anyone and warned that continued escalation would harm all sides.

According to the report, Iran has been launching missile and drone strikes on Gulf and neighboring countries in retaliation for attacks by the United States and Israel. These strikes have caused casualties and damaged key infrastructure, severely disrupting the region’s energy-dependent economies. Al-Khulaifi expressed deep concern over the widespread assaults on civilian infrastructure and described the current situation as unfortunate.

Condemning what he termed “unjustified and heinous” attacks on Qatar’s sovereignty, the minister said his country would take all possible legal measures in self-defense. He reiterated that dialogue remains the only path toward a long-term and sustainable solution.

Qatar’s Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim bin Jaber Al Thani has accused Iran of betrayal following Iranian attacks on Qatar and other Gulf countries. The attacks came after a joint U.S.-Israel strike, prompting Iran to target American bases across the Gulf region. In an interview with Sky News on Sunday, the Qatari leader said his country and other Gulf states had repeatedly stated they were not part of the war against Iran and sought diplomatic solutions instead.

He added that within an hour of the conflict’s start, Iran launched indiscriminate strikes on Qatar and neighboring Gulf nations. Although Iranian President Pezeshkian later apologized for attacks on Arab neighbors, Iran continued to fire drones and missiles toward the region. Al Thani described the assaults as a major act of betrayal that could destroy regional stability but reaffirmed that Qatar would not retaliate militarily, emphasizing continued efforts for dialogue and diplomacy.

The situation underscores rising tensions in the Gulf as multiple regional and global powers call for de-escalation and ceasefire.

Qatar has arrested 313 individuals, including foreign nationals, for allegedly sharing images and misleading information related to Iran’s recent attacks. The country’s Ministry of Interior announced the arrests on Monday, stating that those detained had recorded and distributed videos and rumors that could incite public unrest. The arrests were carried out by the Economic and Cyber Crime Department under the Criminal Investigation Division.

The crackdown comes as Iran continues drone and missile strikes across several Middle Eastern countries, targeting airports, military bases, energy facilities, and residential areas in retaliation for Israeli and U.S. attacks. Other Gulf nations have also taken similar actions. Bahrain reported four arrests on March 6 for spreading false information about Iranian attacks, while Kuwait detained three people on March 7 for mocking the situation in videos.

Authorities in the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia have issued warnings against sharing sensitive images or unverified information, emphasizing legal consequences for such actions. Despite these warnings, visuals of missile strikes and war damage continue to circulate on social media.

French President Emmanuel Macron spoke by phone with Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani to condemn Iran’s recent attacks, according to a statement from the Emir’s office. During the call, Macron expressed France’s full solidarity with Qatar and praised the effective role of Qatar’s armed forces in protecting residents, including French nationals, within the country.

The statement added that both leaders emphasized the importance of ensuring the stability of energy supplies and freedom of navigation through key maritime routes. They also called for prioritizing dialogue and diplomatic initiatives to de-escalate tensions and resolve the situation peacefully.

The conversation reflects ongoing international concern over regional security and the need for cooperative measures to maintain stability in the Gulf area.

Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani has warned U.S. President Donald Trump that the ongoing tensions in the Middle East could have dangerous consequences for international peace and security. According to Qatar’s state news agency, the two leaders held a telephone conversation on Saturday, March 7, to discuss the current regional situation.

Reports from Qatari and Saudi media said the discussion took place amid continued Iranian attacks in Qatar and other Gulf countries. During the call, the Emir emphasized the importance of controlling the crisis and intensifying diplomatic efforts to halt the conflict. He cautioned that prolonged tensions could threaten global stability.

Both leaders agreed on the need for joint initiatives to maintain regional and international stability. They also expressed support for political solutions aimed at reducing tensions and preventing further conflict.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has postponed its scheduled meeting in Doha, Qatar, originally planned for March 25–27, 2026, due to escalating tensions in the Middle East. The decision was made after security concerns arose from ongoing conflicts involving the United States, Israel, and Iran, which have made West Asian airspace unsafe for travel.

According to cricket website Cricbuzz, a new date for the meeting has not yet been set. However, the ICC is considering holding the meeting in April if the situation stabilizes. Officials are also exploring the possibility of relocating the event to a South Asian city as an alternative venue. The postponed meeting was expected to bring together ICC board directors, chief executives, committee members, and senior officials to discuss the international cricket calendar, future plans, and new global opportunities.

Meanwhile, the T20 World Cup final between India and New Zealand is being held today in Ahmedabad, with several ICC and national cricket board officials expected to attend.

Qatar has announced the partial resumption of flights for the first time since the war began a week ago. The country’s aviation authority stated that the airspace will be reopened only for evacuation flights and emergency cargo operations. Hamad International Airport said that any further expansion of flight operations will depend on updated assessments of the security situation.

Earlier, Qatari officials reported that their military had thwarted an attempted attack on the airport by Iran. The Ministry of Defense confirmed that Qatar shot down nine drones on Friday, one of which fell in an uninhabited area without causing casualties.

The decision to reopen airspace in a limited capacity reflects Qatar’s cautious approach amid ongoing regional tensions and security concerns.

Multiple explosions were heard around 4 a.m. in Doha, Qatar, as Iranian drones were intercepted near the US Al-Udeid Airbase, according to Al Jazeera. Qatar’s Interior Ministry confirmed that the airbase was the target of the attack. On the fifth day of the incident, two ballistic missiles were reportedly fired at the base, one striking nearby and the other destroyed midair by defense systems. The extent of damage remains unclear.

Following the attack, Qatar increased security around key military and security installations. Analysts cited in the report said Iran appears to be pursuing a sustained strategy of targeting US military bases and relatively weaker sites across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region.

They warned that despite some failed strikes, Iran continues daily attempts, raising concerns that similar attacks on Qatar could persist in the coming hours and days.

Qatar’s authorities have issued a “high” emergency alert for residents after multiple explosions were heard in the capital, Doha, according to Al Jazeera. An AFP reporter based in Doha confirmed hearing the blasts on Wednesday. Earlier, the Qatari government announced that residents near the U.S. Embassy in Doha would be relocated as part of precautionary measures.

The alert follows a series of escalating incidents across the Middle East. After a joint U.S.-Israel attack on Iran last Saturday, Iran reportedly targeted American facilities in several regional locations. This week, U.S. embassies in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, as well as the U.S. consulate in Dubai, have come under attack.

The situation has heightened regional security concerns, with Gulf nations closely monitoring developments as tensions between Iran and Western allies continue to rise.