Qatar’s Ministry of Defense announced on Monday that its air force shot down two Iranian Su-24 bombers, marking the first time any country has downed Iranian aircraft since the start of the latest conflict. The incident signals an escalation in Qatar’s involvement in the conflict.
According to the ministry’s statement, Qatar also intercepted seven ballistic missiles and shot down five Iranian drones with the assistance of its air force and navy.
“The Qatari Armed Forces possess full capabilities and resources to defend the sovereignty and territory of the state and to respond decisively to any external threat,” the statement said.
Earlier in the day, the state-owned energy company QatarEnergy announced that it had halted liquefied natural gas production at its Ras Laffan facility following an Iranian attack. Qatar is one of the world’s largest LNG exporters, accounting for around 20% of global exports.
This development underscores rising regional tensions and Qatar’s strategic importance as a global energy supplier.
