Key facts
- Qatar's defense ministry confirmed its armed forces intercepted a missile attack.
- The interior ministry declared the security threat in Doha to be over.
- Several booms were heard in the capital, Doha.
- Iranian missile attacks on Ras Laffan Industrial City caused significant damage.
- Other LNG facilities were also attacked, resulting in fires and extensive damage.
- Qatar expelled Iranian military and security attaches within 24 hours.
Qatar's defense ministry announced on Friday that its armed forces had successfully thwarted a missile attack, with the interior ministry subsequently declaring the security threat over. The incident was marked by several booms heard in the capital, Doha, and a government security alert sent to mobile phones.
While the ministries did not identify the perpetrator, the reports come amid Iran's increased attacks on Gulf countries, reportedly in retaliation for U.S. strikes on its territory. Iran has targeted military facilities used by U.S. forces in the region.
Further details emerged indicating that Iranian missile attacks on Qatar's Ras Laffan Industrial City, the nation's primary gas facility, resulted in "significant damage." QatarEnergy confirmed that several other LNG facilities were attacked, causing substantial fires and extensive damage. The Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs strongly condemned the attack as a "dangerous escalation" and a violation of sovereignty.
In response, Qatar declared Iran's embassy military and security attaches persona non grata, demanding their departure within 24 hours. French President Emmanuel Macron reportedly spoke with Qatar's emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, and U.S. President Donald Trump following the attacks, emphasizing the need to protect civilian infrastructure and energy supplies.