DOHA: Explosions were heard across Doha on Monday just hours after Qatar temporarily suspended air traffic around the country, as Iran retaliated against the US strikes on its nuclear sites.
In this connection, Tasnim news agency said Iran has launched a missile operation called ‘Annunciation of Victory’ in Iraq and Qatar.
The development comes as US media reported that Iran fired six missiles at the American military base.
Qatar is home to the United States’ largest base in the region.
On the other hand, there are reports of more explosions in Doha while air defence system has been activated in Iraq, with people directed to take refuge in bunkers.
The air defense system was activated in the US Ain al-Asad airbase in Iraq for fear of a potential attack, military sources to Reuters.
“The competent authorities announce the temporary suspension of air traffic in the country’s airspace, as part of a set of precautionary measures taken based on developments in the region,” the foreign ministry said.
Read more: UN mission says Israeli strikes on Iran may have violated international law
Earlier, Israel’s strikes against Iran prompted international airlines to cancel flights to Middle East destinations due to air space closures and safety concerns.
Read more: Which airlines cancel flights to Middle East?
SERIOUS REPERCUSSIONS
Earlier on Sunday, Qatar said it feared serious repercussions after US air strikes on nuclear facilities in Iran.
The foreign ministry “warns that the current dangerous escalation in the region may lead to catastrophic consequences at both the regional and international levels”, a statement said.
Read more: Iran war: China asks UNSC to back unconditional ceasefire
“It calls on all parties to exercise wisdom, restraint, and to avoid further escalation.”
‘COLLUDING WITH A WAR CRIMINAL’
Also on Sunday, Esmaeil Baqaei, the spokesperson of Iranian foreign ministry, said the US strikes on Iran showed that Washington was backing Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
It is now crystal clear that the U.S. administration has been colluding with a war criminal and genocidal warmonger to wage an unjust war of aggression against our beloved nation in flagrant violation of fundamental principles of international law, the UN Charter, and the Nuclear…
— Esmaeil Baqaei (@IRIMFA_SPOX) June 22, 2025
“It is now crystal clear that the US administration has been colluding with a war criminal and genocidal warmonger to wage an unjust war of aggression against our beloved nation in flagrant violation of fundamental principles of international law, the UN Charter, and the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).”
He made it clear that Iran was resolutely determined to defend its national sovereignty, territorial integrity, national security and people by all necessary means.