Qatar Shoots Down Iranian Fighter Jets
Qatar has shot down two Iranian warplanes and suspended liquefied natural gas (LNG) production after drone strikes hit key energy facilities, as Tehran expanded its retaliatory attacks across the Gulf region, triggering fresh fears of a full-scale regional war.
Qatar’s defence ministry confirmed on Monday that its air force downed two Sukhoi Su-24 bombers from Iran — marking the first time a Gulf state has directly struck Iranian aircraft since Tehran launched coordinated attacks across the region.
“Qatar Emiri Air Force successfully shot down two (Su-24) aircraft coming from the Islamic Republic of Iran,” the ministry said in a statement, without disclosing the fate of the pilots.
The dramatic escalation follows Iranian retaliation for joint US-Israeli strikes that reportedly crippled Iran’s top leadership.
Since then, Iran has unleashed waves of missiles and drones targeting ports, airports, hotels, residential areas and military installations across oil-rich Gulf states allied with Washington.
At least six people have been killed and dozens injured since the bombardments began.
The crisis deepened after drone strikes hit two facilities operated by QatarEnergy, forcing the state-owned energy giant to suspend LNG production.
Qatar is one of the world’s largest exporters of liquefied natural gas, and the disruption immediately rattled global markets.
European gas prices surged by more than 50 per cent, while oil prices jumped nearly nine per cent amid fears of prolonged supply shocks.
In Saudi Arabia, a drone strike targeted Saudi Aramco’s Ras Tanura refinery, one of the largest oil refineries in the region, compelling authorities to halt parts of its operations.
A source close to the Saudi government quoted by AFP warned that any “concerted” Iranian assault on Aramco could provoke a direct military response.
“It depends if this is seen as a direct attack on Aramco by the Iranian leadership or a rogue drone,” the source said, adding that Saudi Arabia would strike Iranian oil facilities if Tehran escalates further.
Another source disclosed that the Saudi military had been placed on “full alert.”
In the United Arab Emirates, a drone hit a fuel tank terminal in Musaffah, sparking a fire.
“Abu Dhabi authorities have responded today to a fire resulting from the targeting of a Musaffah fuel tank terminal by a drone. The situation was promptly contained. No injuries were reported, and there was no impact on operations,” the Abu Dhabi Media Office was quoted.
Explosions were reported across Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Doha and Manama on Monday, shattering the long-cultivated image of the Gulf as a safe haven in a volatile Middle East.
Security analyst Anna Jacobs described the unfolding crisis as a “nightmare scenario” for the region.
“These sorts of attacks just completely obliterate the image of these countries as a safe haven,” she said.
In Kuwait, smoke was seen rising from the US embassy compound in Kuwait City, although officials did not confirm a direct hit. The embassy advised residents to avoid the area.
The United States Central Command confirmed that three F-15E Strike Eagles were mistakenly shot down by Kuwaiti air defences in a friendly-fire incident late Sunday. The crews reportedly ejected safely.
Kuwait’s military later announced that navy sergeant Walid Majid Sulaiman was killed while on duty, without providing details.
Shrapnel also struck the Mina Al Ahmadi refinery, injuring two workers but leaving production intact, according to the Kuwait National Petroleum Company. Nineteen people were reported injured nationwide.
In Bahrain, debris from an intercepted missile ignited a fire aboard a ship in the port city of Salman, killing one Asian worker and critically injuring two others — the country’s first fatality since the crisis erupted.
