JUST IN: Another Gulf Nation Enters War Against Iran After Direct Missile Strikes

Qatar has formally entered the rapidly expanding regional war against Iran after intercepting multiple Iranian aircraft and missile barrages targeting sites inside the country, marking a dramatic escalation in the Gulf as Operation Epic Fury intensifies.

In a statement released Monday by Qatar’s Ministry of Defense, officials confirmed that the Qatar Emiri Air Force shot down two Iranian SU-24 aircraft and intercepted seven ballistic missiles and five drones that were launched toward Qatari territory. The ministry said all projectiles were destroyed before reaching their intended targets.

The announcement effectively places Qatar among the growing list of Middle Eastern nations now directly engaged in hostilities with Tehran.

The Iranian strikes reportedly targeted areas in and around Doha, including critical infrastructure. While Qatari authorities stated the threat was neutralized “immediately upon detection,” debris from intercepted missiles caused injuries, according to regional reports. Officials urged citizens and residents to remain calm and rely solely on official channels for information.

The escalation comes amid the broader U.S.-Israeli military campaign against Iran known as Operation Epic Fury, launched after the reported killing of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in a coordinated strike. President Donald Trump warned Sunday that any further retaliation by Iran would be met with “a force that has never been seen before.”

Pentagon officials confirmed that B-2 stealth bombers armed with 2,000-pound precision munitions are part of the ongoing campaign. Israeli forces are targeting Iranian leadership and command infrastructure, while U.S. strikes are focused on missile sites and military facilities deemed to pose an imminent threat.

Iran’s retaliation has widened the battlefield beyond Israel and U.S. assets, spilling across the Gulf. In addition to Qatar, missile and drone activity has been reported near Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates.

Qatar’s entry into the conflict is particularly significant given its historically nuanced relationship with Tehran. Unlike several Gulf Cooperation Council neighbors, Doha has maintained diplomatic ties with Iran for decades. The two nations share the world’s largest natural gas field, forming the backbone of Qatar’s liquefied natural gas dominance.

Doha Skyline – Qatar

However, recent attacks appear to have shattered any remaining neutrality. QatarEnergy halted portions of its LNG production after facilities were targeted, sending shockwaves through global energy markets and driving prices sharply higher.

The Gulf Cooperation Council issued a warning to Iran over the weekend, stating it may take “all necessary measures,” including possible military action, in response to Tehran’s cross-border attacks. Qatar’s defensive response now signals that those warnings may be translating into coordinated regional action.

Meanwhile, the conflict has already produced significant military losses. U.S. Central Command confirmed that three U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles were shot down in a friendly fire incident over Kuwait during active combat operations. Three American service members have also been confirmed killed since the campaign began.

What began as a U.S.-Israeli strike campaign has now evolved into a multi-front regional confrontation.

For Qatar, the move represents a historic pivot. Once viewed as a potential mediator between Tehran and Western powers, Doha now finds itself defending its own airspace against Iranian aircraft and ballistic missiles.

With major energy infrastructure disrupted and Gulf nations mobilizing, the conflict shows no immediate signs of slowing. Officials say operations will continue for days, if not longer, as allied forces seek to degrade Iran’s military capacity and prevent further missile launches.