The Iranian attack triggered a state of alert across the geopolitically sensitive Gulf region. Concerned about further strikes on American and allied military installations, Gulf states swiftly implemented precautionary measures. Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, and Bahrain temporarily closed their airspace, causing widespread disruption to international air travel.
According to aviation tracking platform Flightradar24, dozens of commercial flights were forced to reroute. Kuwait and Iraq later followed suit, further contributing to the atmosphere of uncertainty.
Witnesses cited by Reuters reported hearing explosions over Doha, while military sources confirmed that air defense systems were activated at Iraq’s Ain al-Asad air base amid fears of additional attacks.
In its first official response, the Qatari government stated it reserves the right to respond to the Iranian strike in accordance with international law, emphasizing its commitment to defending national sovereignty and security.
Qatar Airways suspends operations amid airspace closure
Qatar Airways announced a temporary suspension of its flight operations due to the closure of Qatari airspace. “Once normal operations resume, we anticipate significant delays to our flight schedule. Additional ground staff have been deployed at Hamad International Airport and other key hubs to support affected passengers. The safety of our passengers and crew remains our top priority,” the airline said in a statement. Updates will be shared via qatarairways.com and the Qatar Airways mobile app.
Airports and airspace in the Gulf gradually reopen
Operations at Dubai’s international airports have resumed after a temporary suspension, the Dubai Media Office confirmed on platform X. Authorities, however, warned of possible ongoing delays or flight cancellations.
Meanwhile, the governments of Bahrain and Kuwait officially announced the reopening of their respective airspaces, according to state-run news agencies.
Despite the partial normalization of operations, the situation in the broader Gulf region remains volatile. International observers have expressed growing concern over the risk of further military escalation and potential regional spillover.
Tags: Iran Al Udeid Air Base Qatar, Qatar Airways, Gulf region
