Iran attacks US air base in Qatar

Iran launched missile attacks Monday on a US military bases in Qatar retaliating for the American bombing of its nuclear sites and escalating tensions in the volatile region the AP reportedPeople in Doha Qatars capital stopped and looked up as missiles flew and interceptors fired and struck at least one missile in the night skyIran announced on state television that it attacked American forces stationed at Qatars Al Udeid Air BaseThe announcement was made on state televisionA caption on the screen called it a mighty and successful response by the armed forces of Iran to Americas aggression according to the APThe attack came shortly after Qatar closed its airspace as a precaution amid threats from IranMeanwhile explosions were heard over Doha on Monday shortly after Qatar which hosts the biggest US base in the Middle East suspended air traffic as Iran threatened retaliation for US strikes on its nuclear sites reported AFPAFP journalists heard several rounds of blasts in central Doha and across the Qatari capital with projectiles stopped by interceptors illuminating the night skyThe Gasrich Qatar which lies 190 kilometres 120 miles south of Iran across the Gulf is home to the United States largest military base in the region Al Udeid which hosts the regional headquarters of the Pentagons Central CommandThe competent authorities announce the temporary suspension of air traffic in the countrys airspace as part of a set of precautionary measures taken based on developments in the region the foreign ministry said according to the AFPIt added authorities were monitoring the situation in coordination with regional and international partnersEarlier the US embassy in Qatar had advised Americans present in the country not to go out with other Western embassies echoing the warningOut of an abundance of caution we recommend American citizens shelter in place until further notice the US embassy said on its website as per the AFPBritain and Canada later cited the US security alert in their own recommendations to nationalsIrans armed forces on Monday threatened to inflict serious unpredictable consequences on the US after it joined its ally Israels campaign against the Islamic republic carrying out heavy strikes on three nuclear sites the AFP reportedEarlier on Sunday the US State Department had advised Americans worldwide to exercise increased caution because of the war between Israel and IranAir India Express flights divertedAn Air India Express spokesperson said ldquoAs a result of the ongoing situation in the Middle East and suspension of Qatar airspace Air India Express has diverted our Doha bound flight from Kochi to Muscat and returned our flight bound from Kannur We have no other flights bound for Qatar Air India Express has no aircraft on the ground in Qatar We are monitoring the situation closely and will take all necessary precautions for the safety and security of our guests and crew with inputs from the relevant authorities We regret the inconvenience due to circumstances beyond our control and request guests to update their contact details for real time updates and check their flight status on airindiaexpresscom or Chat with Tia for cancellations and refund optionsrdquowith AP and AFP inputs