This is what you need to know
Good morning, and find a chair — you’re going to need to sit down.
- Iran fired multiple ballistic missiles at a US base in Qatar about 7:30pm Monday (2:30am Tuesday AEST)
- All missiles were intercepted by Qatari air defence and there have been no reports of casualties
- Qatar called the attack “brazen aggression” and warned it could respond
- Iran gave advanced warning of its attack to Qatar and Iraq
- Several gulf states have closed their airspace, including Qatar, the UAE, Kuwait and Bahrain. This will likely affect flights to and from Australia
- It comes less than two days after the US unleashed its most powerful non-nuclear weapons on three Iranian uranium-enrichment sites
- Israel’s military on Monday also released a statement saying it had “completed the most extensive wave of attacks it has ever carried out in Tehran”
What does this all mean? It’s simple. The war between Israel and Iran has now expanded.
Oil prices fall after attack
Iran’s attack on US air bases in Qatar and Iraq has seen the price of oil drop by more than 5 per cent.
Futures for West Texas Intermediate fell 5.3 per cent to $US69.96 a barrel, while Brent oil futures fell by similar amounts just before 6pm London time.
Reporting with AFP
‘I’m on a Qatari flight … we need to divert to Mumbai’
A lot of people are contacting us, including from Qatari flights with WiFi and from Hamad International Airport in Doha.
Siobhan has asked:
Has the Australian Government issued any warning or direction to shelter at this time? And what will happen to those people who are currently transiting at Hamad International Airport?
No, the Australian government has not issued any warnings for people to shelter. The people at Hamad International Airport may have to wait around for a while until the airspace reopens.
Jess is on a Qatar Airways flight right now:
I am on a Qatari flight to Doha. Just 10 minutes ago we were advised of the need to divert to Mumbai. We have WiFi. So grateful that we are safe.
And we’re glad you’re safe too!
Liam is at the airport it Doha right now:
There’s been no announcements at all, but the airline staff said to expect an update at 9:30pm local time.
Let us know what they say, please!
Saudi Arabia says Iran attack ‘unjustifiable’
Countries in the Middle East are starting to react officially to Iran’s missile strike.
Saudi Arabia lambasted Iran for its “unjustifiable” attack on a US base in Qatar, offering to deploy “all its capabilities” to support Doha.
It’s a significant statement because the two countries have had a tense relationship in the past.
Riyadh said it “condemns and denounces in the strongest terms the aggression launched by Iran against the sisterly State of Qatar”.
“This is unacceptable and unjustifiable under any circumstances. The Kingdom affirms its solidarity and full support for … Qatar and offers all its capabilities to support the sisterly State of Qatar in any measures it takes,” Saudi Arabia’s foreign ministry said in a statement.
Reporting with AFP
Israel completes ‘extensive wave of attacks’ on Tehran
While Iran was focused on targeting US military sites, Israel was continuing its campaign.
Israel’s military said that in the last few hours it had completed the most “extensive wave of attacks” it has carried out in Iran’s capital of Tehran.
In an earlier statement, Israel said 15 fighter jets conducted “extensive strikes” on Western Iran.
“The targets struck included underground military infrastructure, a missile storage site, and a UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) storage site belonging to the Iranian armed Forces,” it said in a statement.
“In addition, earlier today, Israeli Air Force aircraft struck and neutralised missile launchers ready to launch toward Israeli territory in central Iran.”
Iran hasn’t launched retaliatory strikes against Israel for almost 10 hours, since 11:30am local time (6:30pm AEST).
Kuwait, Bahrain and UAE shut airspace
Countries are continuing to close airspaces in the wake of Iran’s attack.
Kuwait has joined Qatar and Bahrain in closing its sky to air traffic.
The UAE has also done this, which is a big deal, because it houses two massive international airlines in Emirates and Etihad.
Reporting with Reuters
Reports: Qatar knew Iranian missiles were coming
The New York Times is reporting that Iran told Qatari officials in advance it was planning to attack the US base.
Three Iranian officials told the NYT it was coordinated this way to minimise casualties.
They added the country needed a way to strike back at the US, but in a way that allowed all sides an “exit ramp“.
Flights diverted from Qatar
Hamad International Airport, in Doha, is one of the busiest in the Middle East, serving more than 50 million passengers last year.
It’s the main hub for Qatar Airways, which provide links between Australia, the Middle East and the rest of the world (including Europe).
The government would not have taken the decision to close the airspace lightly. Look at how many planes were diverted.
Qatar reports no casualties from attack
Qatar said there were no casualties from the attack on the Al-Udeid base.
It’s also been reported that Qatar’s air defences intercepted the air attack, which caused the loud explosions heard over Qatar’s capital of Doha.
In pictures: Iranian missiles above Doha
We can bring you some early pictures of the Iranian missile strike over Qatar’s capital, Doha.
Qatari government condemns ‘brazen aggression’ after missile launch
Qatar’s government has released a statement on social media about the Iranian attacks on the United States’ base of Al-Udeid, warning that it reserves the right to respond to the “brazen aggression.”
“The State of Qatar strongly condemns the attack that targeted Al-Udeid Air Base by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard,” Dr. Majed Al Ansari, a spokesperson of Qatar’s foreign affairs ministry posted on X.
“We consider this a flagrant violation of the sovereignty of the State of Qatar, its airspace, international law, and the United Nations Charter.”
“We affirm that Qatar reserves the right to respond directly in a manner equivalent with the nature and scale of this brazen aggression, in line with international law.”
Majed Al-Ansari said the base had earlier been evacuated, “given the tensions in the region.”
Qatar’s government also called for an immediate cessation of “all military actions and for a serious return to the negotiating table and dialogue.”
Iran confirms missile attack on US military targets
State media in Iran reported the country launched missiles in response to the US’s attacks.
Iran’s Tasnim news agency said the attack was aimed at US bases in Qatar and Iraq, in an operation it called ‘Annunciation of Victory.‘
The United Arab Emirates has also closed its airspace, and the government of Bahrain has also issued warnings to its residents to stay off the roads as the threat of attacks continues.
Good morning
Hello and welcome to the ABC’s live coverage of the war between Israel and Iran.
Here’s what’s happened overnight.
- Explosions have been heard ringing out across Qatar’s capital Doha
- An ABC News source in Doha reported hearing at least 20 booms, with video showing projectiles in the sky
- It followed multiple news outlets reporting there was a “credible threat” of an Iranian attack on an airbase in Qatar that houses American forces
- Qatar had closed its airspace temporarily prior to those reports, after US and UK nationals were told to shelter in place in the country as a precaution
Stick with us as we bring you all the latest developments.
