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Qatar, Saudi say Iranian drones, missiles intercepted amid regional escalation

By The South Asia Times

DOHA - Qatar said early Saturday that its air defenses intercepted nine out of 10 drones launched from Iran, while the remaining drone fell in an uninhabited area without causing casualties.

In a statement, the Qatari Ministry of Defense said the country had been targeted by 10 Iranian attack drones since dawn. Qatari forces successfully neutralized most of them, and authorities confirmed that the final drone landed harmlessly away from populated areas.

Officials said the armed forces possess the capabilities necessary to defend the country’s sovereignty and urged residents and visitors to remain calm and follow official instructions.

The incident comes amid widening regional tensions since Feb. 28, when Iran began launching missiles and drones toward Israel and several Gulf countries hosting US military assets.

Iranian strikes have reportedly also targeted American-linked facilities in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, and Bahrain.

Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Defense has said it has intercepted and destroyed two ballistic missiles launched towards Prince Sultan Air Base in al-Kharj, which is one of the major US air bases in the Gulf region.

Iran says the attacks are retaliation for a joint military campaign by the United States and Israel against Iran that has killed hundreds of people, including senior Iranian leaders and military officials.