Qatar shoots down 17 Missiles, 6 Drones as Iran’s Gulf Offensive intensifies

2026-03-09 - 14:14

DOHA – Qatari Air defence systems sprang into action as a wave of 17 ballistic missiles and six drones headed toward Gulf nation from Iran. One by one, they were intercepted before they could reach their targets, preventing what could have been a devastating strike. Tensions across the Gulf region surged dramatically after Doha intercepted massive wave of missiles and drones launched toward the country, marking one of the most serious escalations in the region in recent years. According to Qatar’s defence ministry, the country’s air defence systems successfully shot down 17 ballistic missiles and six drones that were headed toward its territory by Monday afternoon. Authorities confirmed that no casualties were reported, preventing what could have been a devastating attack. The strikes are part of a broader wave of Iranian missile and drone attacks targeting several Gulf countries. In Bahrain, the situation intensified after an Iranian strike triggered a fire at a refinery, forcing the kingdom’s state oil company to declare force majeure on shipments, raising fresh concerns about disruptions to global oil supplies. Qatar’s Prime Minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, condemned the attack in an interview with Sky News, calling it a “big sense of betrayal” by Iranian leadership. He revealed that the strikes came within hours of the conflict’s outbreak, despite Gulf nations clearly stating they would not participate in any war against Iran and were actively pushing for a diplomatic solution. The prime minister said Qatar will continue dialogue with Tehran in hopes of preventing a wider regional war. The growing conflict has already shut down Gulf airspace and disrupted oil production and supply chains. Iran has been targeting US military assets located across Gulf states, claiming the attacks are retaliation for strikes carried out by the United States and Israel on Iranian territory since February 28. The impact is being felt across the region. Saudi Arabia confirmed its air defences intercepted four drones heading toward the Shaybah oilfield, one of the kingdom’s critical energy facilities. Meanwhile, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, and Kuwait have all reported missile threats or attacks. Tragedy struck in Saudi Arabia on Sunday when a projectile crashed into a residential neighbourhood in al-Kharj, killing two people and injuring 12 others. In Bahrain, state media reported that an Iranian drone strike hit Sitra, south of the capital Manama, leaving at least 32 civilians wounded, including several children. The UAE’s Ministry of Defence also reported a tense night and morning, with air defence systems working continuously to intercept incoming Iranian missiles and drones. Meanwhile, Israel intensified the conflict further on Monday with a fresh wave of airstrikes targeting infrastructure in central Iran. The attacks came shortly after Mojtaba Khamenei was announced as the successor to Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran’s long-time supreme leader who was killed on February 28 in joint US-Israeli strikes. Following the announcement, Iran’s top political figures publicly pledged their allegiance to the new supreme leader. With missiles flying across the Gulf, oil facilities under threat, and regional airspace closed, the Middle East now faces one of its most dangerous military escalations in years, raising fears that the conflict could spiral into a full-scale regional war SBP decides to keep key policy rate unchanged at 10.5%