Qatar was targeted by 44 missiles and eight drones during Iranian attacks on Saturday, according to an official briefed on the developments to the news agency Reuters.
The strikes came as part of Iran’s retaliation following attacks by the United States and Israel, escalating tensions in the region. An early-warning radar located in the north of Qatar was struck and damaged in the Iranian attack, the same official briefed on the attacks told Reuters.
The US and Israel launched a major attack on Iran on Saturday, and President Donald Trump urged the Iranian public to “seize control of your destiny” by rising up against the Islamic leadership that has ruled the nation since 1979. Khamenei’s son-in-law, daughter-in-law killed in US-Israel strikes, said Tehran council member, as reported by the news agency Reuters.
Iranian state media, citing the Red Crescent, on Saturday evening said at least 201 people had been killed and more than 700 injured. Iran retaliated by firing missiles and drones toward Israel and US military bases in the region, and exchanges of fire continued into the night.
Justifying the US strikes, named Operation Epic Fury, Donald Trump said Iran was developing long-range missiles that could threaten the US and others. “Lay down your arms or face certain death,” Trump warned Tehran. Israel’s Benjamin Netanyahu said the attack was aimed at removing the “existential threat” from Iran.
Earlier in the day, Qatar suspended all public events, gatherings and entertainment at hotels and tourism sites until further notice in the interest of public safety, according to a Qatar Tourism circular.
It also halted all Ramadan tents and iftars, which hotels and tourist venues typically host for companies, government entities and the public during the holy month of Ramadan.
Tensions have soared in recent weeks as American warships moved into the region. Trump said he wanted a deal to constrain Iran’s nuclear program at a moment when the country is struggling at home with growing dissent following nationwide protests.
The immediate trigger for Saturday’s strikes appeared to be the unsuccessful latest round of nuclear talks. But they also reflected dramatic changes that have left Iran’s leadership in its weakest position since the Islamic Revolution nearly half a century ago.
