UAE Closes Airspace, Qatar Airways Suspends Flights as Iran Attacks US Bases Across Middle East

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has closed its airspace, with Qatar Airways suspending all flights, after Iran launched reprisal missile attacks on United States military bases across the Middle East.

Explosions were reported in Abu Dhabi, Manama, Doha and Kuwait, as well as in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, amid rapidly escalating regional tensions.

In Bahrain, authorities confirmed that the headquarters of the US Navy’s fifth fleet in Juffair was targeted by a missile strike.

Smoke was seen billowing from the area — which houses the American naval base.

Earlier, Bahrain’s interior ministry issued an emergency alert urging residents to seek shelter. Reports indicated explosions in Manama, the capital.

In Abu Dhabi, at least one person was reportedly killed after several missiles launched from Iran were intercepted.

UAE described the strike as “a flagrant violation of national sovereignty and international law” and said it “reserves its full right to respond to this escalation”.

Qatar’s defence ministry said it had “successfully thwarted a number of attacks targeting the country’s territory”, adding that all missiles were intercepted before reaching Qatari soil in line with pre-approved security plans.

However, Doha shut its airspace, prompting Qatar Airways to halt operations.

Kuwait also closed its airspace as part of emergency measures.

The attacks follow joint US and Israeli strikes on multiple Iranian cities early Saturday, which Israel had described as “pre-emptive”.

A senior Iranian official told Al Jazeera that “all American and Israeli assets and interests in the Middle East have become a legitimate target”, adding there were “no red lines after this aggression”.

Iran’s foreign ministry said the US and Israeli strikes violated international law and the UN charter, citing article 51 on self-defence.

It said the armed forces were “fully prepared to defend the country and will make aggressors regret their actions”.

Meanwhile, the British embassy in Qatar advised its nationals to shelter in place, citing heightened regional tensions and potential travel disruption.

The US embassy in Abu Dhabi and the US consulate in Dubai also instructed staff and American citizens in the UAE to shelter in place until further notice.