Cairo, Narch 17, (dpa/GNA) – The Qatari military intercepted a suspected Iranian missile attack early on Tuesday, the Defence Ministry said.
“The Ministry of Defense of State of Qatar announces that, armed forces intercepted missile attack which targeted State of Qatar,” the ministry wrote on X.
The Interior Ministry said in a separate post, that authorities were fighting a minor fire caused by falling debris following the interception of a missile. No injuries had been reported, it added.
Qatar has so far reported dozens of attacks with Iranian missiles and drones and has also shot down two Iranian fighter jets. Qatar is also home to the important US military base al-Udeid.
Qatar has maintained diplomatic relations with Iran for decades. Both countries share access to the world’s largest gas field in The Gulf.
In a separate X post, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) Centre said a vessel at anchor had been hit off the coast of Oman.
The maritime information authority, which is operated by the British Royal Navy, said an “unknown projectile” had struck a tanker, causing minor structural damage. No injuries or environmental impact had been reported, the UKMTO added.
Ships have repeatedly come under attack in The Gulf, the Strait of Hormuz and the Gulf of Oman since the start of the war in Iran, which was triggered by a US-Israeli offensive on February 28.
Iran has since launched missile and drone attacks across the region and laid mines in the strategically important Strait of Hormuz, bringing commercial shipping in the region almost to a standstill.
GNA