Qatar's Ministry of Interior has raised the country's security threat level to high, urging residents to remain inside their homes or stay in safe locations. The ministry advised the public to avoid unnecessary movement, follow official safety instructions and rely only on government channels for updates as regional tensions continue to escalate.
The advisory came after Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed it had launched retaliatory strikes on US military bases in Jordan, Qatar and Oman, following US airstrikes on several coastal military bases and communications towers in southern Iran earlier on Sunday.
According to the IRGC, the first phase of the operation targeted the Prince Hassan Air Base in Jordan, allegedly destroying its command and control centre and an MQ-9 Reaper drone hangar. In the second phase, Iran claimed it struck the Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar and targeted a vessel in the Strait of Hormuz. The third phase reportedly involved attacks on logistical support centres and refuelling platforms linked to US aircraft carriers in Duqm, Oman.
Iran also claimed it carried out drone strikes on US military facilities in Kuwait and Bahrain, alleging that a Patriot air defence system, an ammunition depot and radar sites were hit. The IRGC warned of stronger retaliation if the United States launches further attacks against Iran.
Amid the heightened tensions, Qatar's Ministry of Transport announced a temporary suspension of maritime navigation and all marine activities as a precautionary measure to protect public safety. The suspension applies to leisure boats, fishing vessels, jet skis and other recreational watercraft, but does not affect vessels operating under international maritime conventions.
Qatar's Foreign Ministry strongly condemned the renewed Iranian attacks on its territory and neighbouring countries, calling them a blatant violation of its sovereignty, territorial integrity and international law.
Meanwhile, the US-led Joint Maritime Information Centre said the southern route along the Omani coast through the Strait of Hormuz remains open, despite Iran's announcement that it had closed the strategic waterway. Citing the US Naval Forces Central Command (NAVCENT), the advisory said the Strait of Hormuz is an international waterway and cannot be controlled by any single nation.
The advisory added that while the maritime security threat level in the Strait of Hormuz remains "severe" due to mine threats, the expanded southern route continues to support two-way commercial shipping under US coordination.
