PESHAWAR: Qatar has officially reopened its airspace following a temporary closure prompted by a missile strike from Iran that targeted the Al Udeid US Air Base. The closure was enacted as a precautionary measure to ensure the safety of civilians and travellers, but has now been lifted as the situation in the country stabilises.
In a televised press conference on Monday night, Interior Ministry spokesperson Jabr al-Naimi reassured the public that the safety of residents and citizens remains the government’s top priority. He stated that national agencies are working in full coordination to maintain order and prevent any disruption to daily life. Al-Naimi also warned against the spread of false or unverified information and urged the public to rely only on updates from official sources.
Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a similar message, confirming that normalcy is returning and calling on all parties involved in the broader conflict to engage in diplomatic dialogue. Officials emphasised the importance of de-escalation and regional cooperation.
Following Qatar’s move, Kuwait and Bahrain also reopened their airspaces, which had been briefly closed as a precaution. The Dubai Media Office announced that operations at Dubai International Airport have resumed, although some flights may still face delays due to lingering air traffic issues caused by the temporary closures.
Oman Air announced the suspension of several routes, including flights to and from Doha, Manama, Kuwait City, and Dubai. The airline noted that it may reroute flights across its wider network, potentially leading to longer travel times and delays, depending on the evolving regional conditions.
The US Embassy in Doha confirmed the lifting of its shelter-in-place advisory and stated it would resume operations on Tuesday. The advisory had been in place during the missile threat, with embassy officials closely monitoring developments.
US President Donald Trump downplayed the missile attack launched by Iran, stating that all 14 projectiles either missed their targets or were intercepted. Trump noted that Iran had given prior warning of the strike, allowing for safety measures to be implemented in advance. He confirmed there were no casualties and that damage to the Al Udeid base—home to US, Qatari, and allied forces—was minimal. Trump expressed hope that the situation marks a turning point and called for peace in the region.
Qatar’s Civil Aviation Authority explained that the airspace closure was aimed at protecting public safety, particularly for pilgrims travelling through the country. A government source described the measure as temporary and necessary given the regional developments, adding that all efforts were made to restore flight operations as soon as it was safe to do so.
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