Qatar closes airspace before explosions heard over capital Doha

QATAR closed its airspace temporarily on Monday (June 23) as part of measures taken amid developments in the region and a report in American news website Axios, citing an Israeli official, that Iran had launched six missiles toward U.S. bases in Qatar.

AI Brief

Explosions were reported in Doha after a credible threat to the US al Udeid air base in Qatar.
US embassy advised Americans to shelter; flights were diverted as Qatari and UAE airspace closed.
Iran vowed retaliation after US bombed its nuclear sites, with Trump hinting at possible regime change.

Explosions were heard over Qatar's capital Doha on Monday, a Reuters witness reported, shortly after a Western diplomat said there had been a credible Iranian threat against the U.S.-run al Udeid air base in the Gulf Arab state since midday.

Earlier, the U.S. embassy in Qatar had advised Americans to shelter in place, out of what it said was "an abundance of caution."

Recordings of Flightradar live air traffic showed the moment after 1535 GMT that the airspace was closed and flights were diverted from the region.

United Arab Emirates airspace is currently closed based on flight paths and air traffic control audio, according to a post by FlightRadar on X on Monday.

Iran has issued threats to retaliate against the United States after U.S. bombers dropped 30,000-pound bunker-busters on the country's underground nuclear installations over the weekend, while President Donald Trump openly raised the possibility of the Iranian government being toppled.