Doha: The Qatari military intercepted a suspected Iranian missile attack early on Tuesday, the Defence Ministry announced. 'The Ministry of Defense of State of Qatar announces that, armed forces intercepted missile attack which targeted State of Qatar,' the ministry stated on X.
According to Ghana News Agency, the Interior Ministry reported in a separate post that authorities were managing a minor fire caused by falling debris after the missile interception. Fortunately, no injuries were reported.
Qatar has experienced numerous attacks involving Iranian missiles and drones and has also successfully shot down two Iranian fighter jets. The country is home to the strategic US military base al-Udeid. Despite these tensions, Qatar and Iran have maintained diplomatic relations for decades, sharing access to the world's largest gas field in The Gulf.
In a related incident, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) Centre reported that a vessel at anchor was struck off the coast of Oman. The British Royal Navy-operated maritime information authority mentioned that an 'unknown projectile' hit a tanker, causing minor structural damage but no injuries or environmental impact.
Ships in the Gulf, the Strait of Hormuz, and the Gulf of Oman have frequently been attacked since the onset of the war in Iran, triggered by a US-Israeli offensive on February 28. Iran has retaliated with missile and drone strikes across the region and has laid mines in the crucial Strait of Hormuz, significantly disrupting commercial shipping activities.