Tipped off to an imminent retaliatory attack against the US, which has just launched, Qatar has temporarily closed its airspace, grounding flights and scrambling operations.
Middle East Tensions Escalate As Qatar Shuts Down Its Airspace – Iran Responds With Ballistic Missile Attack Against US
Qatar airspace is closed, forcing Qatar Airways to ground hundreds of flights and disrupting operations across the Gulf as Iran launches retaliatory strikes in response to US and Israeli attacks on Iranian nuclear facilities.
What Happened?
On June 23, 2025, Qatar’s Civil Aviation Authority announced the suspension of all air traffic due to security concerns. The move came after U.S. strikes (what it calls “Operation Midnight Hammer”) targeted Iranian nuclear sites at Natanz, Fordow, and Isfahan.
Iran responded by launching six ballistic missiles at U.S. military installations, including the strategically vital Al Udeid Air Base outside Doha, which houses American and allied personnel. Explosions were reported over the skies of Doha, and several incoming commercial flights were diverted mid-air.
US Targets, Iranian Retaliation
Following the strikes on Iranian nuclear infrastructure, Tehran vowed a “proportional response,” and its missile attack on U.S. bases in Qatar and Iraq marked a significant escalation. While no American casualties have been confirmed, damage reports are still emerging, and tensions remain high. Qatar, while nominally a US ally and even host to US Al Udeid Air Base, is also a close ally of Iran.
Several embassies in the Gulf, including those of the United States and United Kingdom, issued shelter-in-place advisories and raised their threat alerts.
Impact On Air Travel
With Qatar’s airspace closed, Doha Hamad International Airport has come to a standstill. Qatar Airways and dozens of international carriers are rerouting or canceling flights. Regional aviation corridors are rapidly shifting, straining adjacent hubs in Muscat, Dubai, and Riyadh.
Travelers in the region should prepare for extended delays, diversions, and increased security measures. Those with upcoming travel plans through Doha are urged to contact Qatar Airways or their ticketing carrier directly and monitor developments.
Next Steps Uncertain
The closure of Qatari airspace earlier today was more than a precaution, but a clear sign Qatar had been warned of an impending attack. Iran has stated it will not stop at missile launches, and military analysts warn that maritime routes like the Strait of Hormuz could also be targeted.
This marks one of the most volatile episodes in recent Gulf aviation history, and the potential for further escalation remains dangerously high.
CONCLUSION
Qatar’s decision to close its airspace is a reflection of the growing instability in the Middle East as the Iran-US-Israel triangle erupts into open hostility. Whether this was the peak of Iran’s retaliation or just the beginning remains to be seen. But one thing is clear: air travel in the region has just entered a new phase of uncertainty.
image: Qatar Airways
This is a story that Matthew should continue to report. Specifically, what happened to various flights and where various Qatar Airways planes are. I presume many are either in Doha or at an outlying station, just LHR or JFK. Did some flights divert? If so, to where?
Does Qatar Airways shut down? I don’t think they can quickly start an alternate base, like in Muscat, even if they wanted to.
QR10 LHR-DOH diverted to Riyadh. It might be going to Muscat eventually but the QR website is unclear.
QR006 LHR-DOH arrived 23 June at 1740 within 5 minutes of schedule.
QR10 LHR-DOH was supposed to arrive at 20:59 but diverted to Riyadh
QR004 LHR-DOH is supposed to arrive 24 June at 00:30 and is more than half way there with an estimated arrival within 30 minutes of schedule
QR110 LHR-DOH is supposed to arrive 24 June at 00:45 and is more than half way there with an estimated arrival less than 15 minutes late.
QR008 LHR-DOH is supposed to arrive 24 June at 01:25 and is about half way there with an estimated arrival 30 minutes late.
QR106 LHR-DOH is supposed to arrive 24 June at 03:45 is just left LHR with an estimated arrival 19 minutes late.
So this might just be a short term closure. Iran undoubtedly told Qatar it was going to attack, shot a few missiles and won’t attack anymore today.
@derek … A sand dune with an airfield is not a country .
A herd of camels is not a population .
Is your entire purpose to make moronic snarky comments? Will you ever grow up? One of these days you’ll need to move out of your mother’s basement, get a job, and maybe finally get to fly on an airplane.
I’m in Dubai right now and my flight has been delayed because airspace is temporarily closed.
Neither is Dubai a country . It is an ostentation .
Qatar is nominally a US ally? They were designated a Major Non-NATO Ally in 2022 and joined VWP in 2024. I would say they’re one of our closest allied countries in the world.
“Major Non-NATO Ally” means nothing. Obama named Tunisia as such. What a joke. The US has a closer relationship to the Republic of Palau, a country with less than 50,000 people, than Tunisia. Obama also named Afghanistan a major non-NATO ally.
Obama ? Ha-ha-ha .
His major allies are Nantucket , the Hamptons , and the Upper East Side . .
Isn’t Palau a bad comparison? Palau nationals can live and work freely in the United States. They use the Dollar. The USPS provides postal service. Palau is hardly an independent nation (with all respect to the people of Palau).
Maybe you don’t consider MNNAs to be important, but I think a lot of people, specifically the US military, and the US State Department would probably disagree. And of course Afghanistan is no longer a MNNA.
*The Iran- US- Israel triangle *. This will be the uncertainty we now have to live with for a long while. Stability has been undermined by egos.
Trump got played by bibi, and started a war for no reason. Officials are now admitting the uranium had been moved before the bombing and they dont know where it is. Iran is probably going to speed up their nuclear bomb production just because they fear regime change, and they know once they have the bomb they will be untouchable like north korea.
But hey, the 22 year old grocery bagger that is now the head of the counterterrorism unit will surely know how to keep us safe from the next isis that springs up from this folly.
Good times
You’re so boring.
Thats ok, champ. You don’t understand so you’re bored. Maybe if you are good today, your mom will take you to benihana and let you pretend you took a trip to Japan. That will be so special for you
Even your insults suck. Where’s Arron? He’s way better than you.
Do we ever need to ask?
If he’s not here, he’s on the Hershey Highway as always.
Did you type that yourself? Im proud of you big guy… you almost typed the whole thing without a spelling error.
Hey , the 22 year old grocery bagger is likely to have more common sense than the California politician-actor , who got escorted out of a news conference .
The 22 year old grocery bagger is likely to have more common sense than the Camel-a .
This is why you are going nowhere in life. The requirement to run an anti terrorist organization isn’t common sense… its actual knowledge of the subject. I know you think grocery bagger are geniuses because you are one… but normal people realize he is unqualified.
And the requirements for Camel-a to run for President would have included both : (a) a modicum of common sense on the part of the candidate ; and (b) a primary election to be chosen by the Dem. voters . Neither occurred .
The nation is fortunate she was defeated . Common sense really does matter . Time spent in government being a “kiss-up yes-man” really does not matter .
I would rather have 535 ordinary people with a modicum of common sense in the Senate and House , instead of the preening actors who are re-elected forever .
If common sense was important to you and maga, you would learn to silence the horse crap you repeatedly dump here.
No worries. Our president says he has negotiated a CEASEFIRE!. Iran and Israel have agreed to be peaceful and respectful. No comment from Iran or Israel.
I also have a trailer of horse manure, if anyone is interested.
Looks like that ceasefire isn’t going to last. Trump got played again. That must be why his supporters like him. He’s impotent just like they are
I believe the ceasefire was shorter than the time taco bragged about it. But who didn’t see that coming. ; )
Were the “attacks” within the time before it went into effect?
You seem like a good person but damn, you are such a liberal at heart. Sad for a successful person. You shouldn’t think you are better than others that failed in life.
Dave, as I understand it various reports, Israel was already launching missiles as our president was announcing the ceasefire. It’s all rather absurd. Then he is cussing out both sides! But the reality of a sudden reconcile of mortal enemies is beyond my ken. Love & respect you much!
Ps. Be nice to Aaron.
Oh well…it is what it is.