Iran unleashed a series of intense airstrikes throughout the Middle East on Thursday, notably targeting Qatar in what officials described as the most extensive assault yet.
As Tehran extended its military campaign against Tel Aviv and Gulf states, the conflict with the US and Israel escalated into its sixth day. Qatar’s defense ministry reported that its air defenses successfully intercepted a substantial attack comprising 14 ballistic missiles and four drones.
Qatari forces managed to neutralize 13 missiles from the assault, which began around 11:51 a.m. local time, officials confirmed. The only missile that breached defenses landed in territorial waters, thankfully causing no harm.
In a statement on social media platform X, the Ministry of Defense assured, “Qatar Armed Forces are fully equipped and prepared, with divine support, to protect the nation’s sovereignty and territory, and to respond decisively to any external threat.”
The Ministry also advised residents, citizens, and visitors to stay calm, follow official security instructions, disregard rumors, and rely exclusively on verified information from official sources.
“The Ministry also urges citizens, residents, and visitors to remain calm, adhere to official instructions issued by the security authorities, avoid rumors, and rely solely on information released through official channels.”
The bombardment over the Persian Gulf shores raged for nearly two hours, according to Euronews reporters in Doha.
Iran also fired off seven ballistic missiles at the United Arab Emirates on Thursday, with one crashing inside its borders, the UAE Ministry of Defence said.
Since Saturday – when the US and Israel launched Operation Epic Fury – Iran has unleashed 196 ballistic missiles at the UAE, with just two hitting targets directly, the Times of Israel reported.
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Tehran has also launched 131 drones at UAE, but only six have made impact and the rest were largely shot down. However, falling debris from an intercepted drone left six injured in Abu Dhabi, the Emirati Defense Ministry said, according to the outlet.
Iran also directed eight rounds of missiles at Israel — sending millions of people rushing into bomb shelters, the outlet reported. Iranian drones also struck an airport in Azerbaijan and a nearby school.
Two were injured in the Azerbaijani attack Thursday, the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry said.
European Union and Gulf officials demanded the Islamic Republic immediately halt its “indiscriminate” attacks on Arab nations — warning the strikes pose a serious threat to international security.
Meanwhile, Israel’s top general claimed the country’s armed forces have destroyed the bulk of Iran’s air defenses and struck sites used to launch missiles at the Jewish state.
Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir, Israeli army chief of staff, said they have successfully dismantled 80% of Iran’s air defenses and 60% of its missile launchers – but warned the threat from the hardline Iranian regime still remains.
“The threat has not been removed. Every missile is lethal and poses a danger,” Zamir said.
“We are now moving to the next phase of the operation. In this phase, we will further dismantle the regime and its military capabilities. We have additional surprises ahead that I do not intend to disclose.”
