Qatar reopens airspace after Iranian missile attack on US base, flights resume amid ceasefire talks
The decision to shut down the airspace was taken as a direct response to the threat of retaliation from Iran following US airstrikes on three Iranian nuclear facilities. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the aim was 'to ensure the safety of citizens, residents, and visitors.'
The General Civil Aviation Authority later announced that 'the return of the atmosphere to normal' had been achieved after coordinating with relevant agencies.
'The Authority commends the great cooperation shown by all partners and the efforts of all state entities to ensure the safety and security of aviation in Qatari airspace,' it added in a formal statement.
Qatar Airways
announced the resumption of operations in a post on X, saying, 'Qatar Airways confirms reinstatement of flights as airspace reopens in the State of Qatar. Our focus at this time is to help our passengers return home or reach their onward journey safely and smoothly.'
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— qatarairways (@qatarairways)
Al Udeid attack: No casualties, missiles intercepted
Iran launched missiles at Al Udeid Air Base—home to nearly 8,000 US troops and the headquarters of US Central Command's air operations in the region—on Monday evening. Iran claimed the strike was in direct response to what it called American aggression.
Tehran's foreign ministry said the attack was a 'clear and explicit' message and warned that it 'will not leave any attack on its territorial integrity, sovereignty and national security unanswered.'
But the strike caused no injuries. Both Qatari and American officials confirmed that most of the missiles were intercepted. In response, Qatar 'strongly condemns' the attack and said its air defence systems 'successfully thwarted' the threat.
Warnings and diversions disrupt travel
Ahead of the strike, the US embassy in Qatar had urged American citizens to shelter in place 'out of an abundance of caution.' That advisory has now been lifted, with normal operations set to resume on Tuesday. The UK government issued a similar alert to British nationals in Qatar, echoing concerns about the escalating situation.
The closure led to several flight diversions. One London-bound plane headed for Doha had to return to Heathrow.
Hamad International Airport
, one of the world's busiest by international traffic, typically sees about 140,000 passengers a day. The sudden closure disrupted routine travel and strained regional aviation logistics.
Regional precautions and response
Neighbouring states also reacted quickly. Bahrain and Kuwait closed their own airspace shortly after the attack but have since reopened it. The temporary closures reflected wider concern that the Iran-US tensions could spill further across the region.
The US military, which has about 40,000 troops spread across the Middle East, remained on alert. The missile incident also marked the first direct strike by Iran on a site within Qatar's territory.
Ceasefire declared, but confirmation awaits
Hours after the incident, US President Donald Trump announced that Iran and Israel had agreed to a ceasefire.
'This is a war that could have gone on for years, and destroyed the entire Middle East, but it didn't, and never will!' he said in a social media post, calling it a 'total and complete' ceasefire and referring to the hostilities as the '12 Day War.'
However, neither Iran nor Israel has formally confirmed the ceasefire so far. The lack of official acknowledgement has left analysts cautious about how long the calm might hold.
Despite the rising tensions, Qatar's relations with the US remain steady. According to the State Department, ties are 'strong,' with Doha playing a significant political, financial, and military role in stabilising the region.
As commercial flights lift off once again from Hamad International Airport, the swift coordination among defence, aviation, and diplomatic agencies in Qatar has helped prevent a wider crisis. But the underlying tensions in the Gulf remain far from resolved.
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