Qatar Halts Air Traffic, Urges Foreigners to Shelter Amid Iranian Retaliation Threats

Qatar has temporarily suspended all air traffic within its airspace and several Western embassies have advised their citizens to “shelter in place” as tensions in the Middle East escalate following Iranian threats of retaliation against the United States. The swift measures, announced Monday, come amidst a backdrop of recent US strikes on Iranian nuclear sites.

Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed the temporary halt of air traffic, stating it was a “precautionary measure taken based on developments in the region” and to ensure the safety of citizens, residents, and visitors. Flight tracking platforms like Flightradar24 showed inbound flights to Hamad International Airport in Doha being diverted to alternate locations. This closure is particularly significant as Qatar hosts Al Udeid Air Base, the largest US military base in the region, with a substantial American troop presence

Earlier on Monday, the US Embassy in Qatar issued a security alert advising Americans to “shelter in place until further notice.” This warning was quickly echoed by other Western embassies, including Britain and Canada, who cited the US alert in their own advisories to nationals.

The heightened alert follows Iran’s armed forces threatening “serious, unpredictable consequences” against the US. This warning came after the US joined its ally Israel in carrying out heavy strikes on three Iranian nuclear facilities, including the fortified Fordo site.

Despite the warnings from foreign embassies, Qatar’s foreign ministry spokesman, Majed al-Ansari, sought to reassure the public. He stated that such advisories “do not necessarily reflect the existence of specific or credible threats,” and affirmed that “the security situation in the state remains stable.” Al-Ansari added that Qatar continues to exert intensive diplomatic efforts to de-escalate regional tensions.

The closure of Qatari airspace adds to growing concerns about disruptions to global air travel. Airlines, including American Airlines, United Airlines, and Air Canada, had already suspended some flights to key Middle East hubs like Dubai and Doha in recent days due due to escalating regional tensions and increased war risk insurance rates for Gulf voyages.