Qatar shot down two Iranian aircraft on Monday as Iran continued its retaliation mission against the Gulf States.
The Qatar Air Force shot down two Iranian SU-24 bomber jets, seven ballistic missiles, and five drones, according to a statement from the Qatari Foreign Ministry.
“The threat was addressed immediately upon detection, in accordance with the operational plan, as all missiles were shot down before reaching their targets,” the statement said.
The ministry urged its citizens to remain calm despite rising tensions in the region. Iran has launched attacks against Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, and the United Arab Emirates, though most were missiles or air projectiles.
Qatar previously said its major airport had been targeted.
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The Iranian attacks are a response to the U.S.-Israeli joint military operation that began Feb. 28. On Saturday, officials announced that Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed as a result of strikes on his compound. Still, U.S. leaders, including War Secretary Pete Hegseth, said this is not a regime-changing operation.
“This is not a so-called regime change war, but the regime sure did change, and the world is better off for it today,” Hegseth said Monday morning.
Qatar is one of many countries in the Middle East that have expressed concerns about “risks of the conflict expanding” in a call with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The Russian president has also spoken with the leaders of Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates.
