Qatar intercepts 10 drones and 2 cruise missiles; airspace remains closed

Qatar's Defence Ministry announced the interception of 10 Iranian drones and 2 cruise missiles, adding to the sustained barrage against the small Gulf state. Qatar Airways confirmed all flight operations remain 'temporarily suspended due to the closure of Qatari airspace.' Qatar hosts Al Udeid Air Base, the largest US military facility in the Middle East, making it a prime Iranian target. Al Jazeera's reporter in Doha noted that while the volume and frequency of Iranian attacks on the Gulf appeared to be decreasing, even low-level attacks were sufficient to 'continue being a problem for GCC countries' — keeping airspace closed and LNG production halted. Qatar is the world's largest LNG exporter; the production shutdown is sending ripples through global natural gas markets.