Doha, Qatar: Advisor to the Prime Minister and Official Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs HE Dr. Majed bin Mohammed Al Ansari, in his weekly press conference, told reporters in Doha that Iran needs to “stop the attacks” on the country.
President Donald Trump urged NATO partners and China to help reopen the Strait of Hormuz, the critical conduit for crude that Iran has effectively closed, as major economic players began releasing oil reserves on Monday to ward off supply disruptions.
Global oil prices have surged by 40 to 50 percent after Iran choked off the waterway and attacked energy and shipping industry targets in the Gulf in retaliation for the US-Israeli war against the Islamic Republic.
Stay tuned for more updates:
10:30pm Doha Time
Qatar targeted with 14 ballistic missiles, drones launched from Iran: MoD
The Ministry of Defense (MoD) of the State of Qatar announced that Qatar was subjected to an attack involving 14 ballistic missiles and a number of drones launched from the Islamic Republic of Iran today, Monday. READ MORE
10:02pm Doha Time
8 drones intercepted, destroyed in eastern province: Saudi Defense Ministry
The Saudi Ministry of Defense announced Monday that eight drones were intercepted and destroyed in the Eastern Province. Read more
9:55pm Doha Time
Fire erupts at UAE’s Shah oil field after drone attack: AD Media Office
Abu Dhabi authorities are responding to a fire at the Shah oil field, caused by a drone strike, according to Abu Dhabi Media Office. Read more
7:37pm Doha Time
WATCH:
"Since the Iranian attacks have started on Qatar, the threats and the attacks on civilian targets have not stopped," said Dr. Majed bin Mohammed Al‑Ansari, Advisor to the Prime Minister and MOFA Spokesperson, during the weekly media briefing on Monday, March 16, 2026.
7:29pm Doha Time
Qatar condemns Iranian attack that killed one person in UAE, affirms solidarity
The State of Qatar expressed its strong condemnation of the Iranian targeting that led to a missile striking a civilian vehicle in the Al Bahia area in the sisterly United Arab Emirates (UAE), which killed one person, describing it as a serious escalation and a blatant violation of the UAE's sovereignty, as well as a direct threat to the security and stability of the region. Read more
7:20pm Doha Time
Kuwait intercepts 4 hostile drones, no casualties reported: MOD Spokesperson
The Official Spokesman for the Kuwait Ministry of Defense, reported that Kuwait’s air defense detected four hostile drones breaching the country’s airspace in the past 24 hours. Read more
6:55pm Doha Time
Federation of GCC Chambers strongly condemns Iranian attacks, seeks to boost Gulf economy
The Federation of GCC Chambers condemned the recent Iranian attacks on the countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), describing them as senseless assaults on the region's remarkable development model, founded on justice, stability, and openness. Read more
6:40pm Doha Time
Dubai Civil Defense confirms fuel tank fire extinguished near airport
Civil Defense teams have confirmed that the fire in a fuel tank near Dubai International Airport has been fully extinguished and cooling operations are currently underway: Dubai Media Office.
6:24pm Doha Time
Plan to reopen Strait of Hormuz will not be under NATO: UK Prime Minister
British Prime Minister, Keir Starmer said on Monday that the United Kingdom is working with its allies to develop a practical plan to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, stressing that any such operation must command broad international consensus and will not take place under the framework of NATO. Read more
6:14pm Doha Time
Iraq extends airspace closure for 3 more days
The Iraqi Civil Aviation Authority (ICAA) announced the extension of airspace closure for all inbound, transit, and outbound flights for an additional 72 hours as a temporary precautionary measure. Read more
6:09pm Doha Time
Qatar's Interior Ministry reminds the public not to film and share clips of incident sites
The Ministry of Interior reminds the public to refrain from filming or sharing clips of incident sites or field response operations citing that this helps facilitate the work of authorities and reflects the people's compliance with regulations and laws.
Refraining from filming or sharing footage of incident sites or field response operations facilitates the work of competent authorities and reflects your compliance with national laws and regulations.#MOIQatar pic.twitter.com/JWbT6CeM8C
— Ministry of Interior - Qatar (@MOI_QatarEn) March 16, 2026
4:56pm Doha Time
Drone attack causes building fire in a northern emirate of UAE
A drone attack caused a fire in a building in the north of the UAE on Monday, authorities said. "A building in the emirate of Umm Al Quwain was targeted by a drone, causing a fire but resulting in no injuries," the Umm Al Quwain Government Media Office said in a statement published by the official WAM news agency, without naming the building.
Drone targets building in Umm Al Quwain; no injuries reported#WamNews https://t.co/bwkUWj0gJx pic.twitter.com/4X2QEFQ8jr
— WAM English (@WAMNEWS_ENG) March 16, 2026
4:46pm Doha Time
UAE air defences dealt with 6 ballistic missiles, 21 drones
The air defense systems of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) dealt with 6 ballistic missiles and 21 UAVs launched from Iran today, March 16, 2026. Since the onset of the blatant Iranian aggression, the UAE's air defense systems have engaged with 304 ballistic missiles, 15 cruise missiles, and 1,627 UAVs. Read more
4:40pm Doha Time
Qatar's Ministry of Defense affirmed that second wave of missile attacks successfully intercepted
Qatar's Armed Forces successfully intercepted a second wave of missile attack which targeted the country, according to Qatar's Ministry of Defense.
A public safety alert was also sent out to all phones stating that the security threat has been eliminated. It further urged the public to comply with instructions issued by the relevant authorities.
3:52pm Doha Time
Qatar says security threat eliminated
Qatar's Ministry of Interior confirmed that the security threat has been eliminated. It further urged the public to comply with instructions issued by the relevant authorities.
3:39pm Doha Time
Qatar intercepts missile attack from Iran
Qatar's Ministry of Defense announced that the Armed Forces intercepted missile attack which targeted the country.
تعلن وزارة الدفاع القطرية عن تصدي القوات المسلحة لهجمة صاروخية استهدفت دولة قطر.
— وزارة الدفاع - دولة قطر (@MOD_Qatar) March 16, 2026
The Ministry of Defense of State of Qatar announces that armed forces intercepted missile attack which targeted State of Qatar. pic.twitter.com/aXQRmp8YF1
3:30pm Doha Time
Qatar sends out security alert stating that the threat level is elevated.
"Everyone must remain in their homes and safe places, and stay away from windows, glass facades, and exposed areas until the threat has passed, in order to preserve public safety," the alert stated.
2:27pm Doha Time
Mideast war 'nothing to do with NATO': German govt
The war in the Middle East started by US-Israeli strikes on Iran has "nothing to do with NATO" and is "not NATO's war", German Chancellor Friedrich Merz's spokesman said Monday, reported AFP
"NATO is an alliance for the defence of territory" and "the mandate to deploy NATO is lacking" in the current situation, Stefan Kornelius said at a regular press briefing.
2:10pm Doha Time
Summary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs press news conference
Advisor to the Prime Minister and Official Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs HE Dr. Majed bin Mohammed Al Ansari, in his weekly press conference said called for de-escalation of attacks.
Here are some of the pointers from the press conference:
- Communications are still ongoing with various parties to ensure the Strait of Hormuz remains open
- Iran's attacks and threats against civilian infrastructures have not stopped.
- Qatar’s coordination with Egypt and other Arab countries is part of broader Arab coordination and should not be interpreted as coordination under the framework of the Joint Arab Defence Agreement.
- Qatar has distanced itself from the Iran war, but retains the right to respond to the Iranian attacks on the country, if necessary.
- In the early morning of Saturday, a missile targeting a residential area was intercepted, which prompted authorities to begin evacuating residents as a precaution.
- There is currently no active mediation between the United States and Iran.
- De-escalation is needed, further adding that all parties must work collectively to reduce tensions and allow wisdom to prevail.
12:30pm Doha Time
Bahrain intercepts 129 missiles since start of Iranian attack
Bahrain says its forces have intercepted and destroyed 129 missiles and 215 drones since the start of the attacks.
At least two people have also been killed in Bahrain due to the attacks.
11:30am Doha Time
Fire at UAE’s Fujairah industrial zone after drone strike
A fire has broken out at an industrial zone in UAE’s Fujairah after a drone strike, the emirate’s media office has said.
Al Jazeera reported that the civil defence teams are trying to control the fire and no injuries have so far been reported.
11:25am Doha Time
Abu Dhabi reports casualty after missile incident
Authorities in Abu Dhabi are responding to “an incident involving a missile falling on a civilian vehicle in Al Bahyan area”, according to the city’s media office.
According to Al Jazeera, the incident resulted “in one casualty of Palestinian nationality,” it said in a post on X.
11:15am Doha Time
Dubai Airport 'gradually' resumes following nearby drone incident
Flights were gradually resuming at Dubai airport on Monday, the airport operator said, after a "drone-related incident" sparked a fuel tank fire nearby, as Iran kept up its Gulf attacks.
"Flights to and from DXB are gradually resuming to selected destinations, following the temporary suspension implemented as a precautionary measure," Dubai airports said in a statement on X. Read more
10:55am Doha Time
MOI announces evacuation guidelines for workplace
The Ministry of Interior, MOI, has given precautionary evacuation guidelines manual for workplace during emergency and exceptional situations.
The Ministry in a post on social media warned that when evacuation alert is issued, employees must evacuate the danger location immediately, move away and head to the nearest safe place as a temporary precautionary measure until the danger has passed. Read more
10:30am Doha Time
Families encouraged to create calm environment to support mental well-being
The Ministry of Interior (MoI) has called on the public to maintain psychological balance and deal calmly with current developments, emphasising the importance of following supportive mental health practices to navigate such circumstances with reassurance and stability.
In a video message published on the social media platform X, First Lieutenant Abdullah Mursal Al Shammari from the MoI said that some people may experience anxiety as they follow ongoing events, stressing the need to approach the situation with awareness and composure. Read more
10am Doha Time
PHCC advises public on how to cope with stress and anxiety
The Primary Health Care Corporation (PHCC) issues practical guidance to help the public manage anxiety and stress and protect mental health during challenging times.
PHCC in a post on X said feelings of fear and stress are natural human responses, noting that while people cannot control external events, they can protect their mental health by managing how they respond. Read more
9:30am Doha Time
France stands as ‘reliable, predictable and determined’ partner to Qatar: Envoy
France has reaffirmed its strong strategic partnership with Qatar, highlighting deep diplomatic ties, and the defence dimension of the partnership has taken on heightened importance as the region navigates a complex geopolitical situation.
In an exclusive interview with The Peninsula yesterday, the Ambassador of France to Qatar H E Arnaud Pescheux, reflected on the long-standing relationship between the two countries, describing France as a strategic partner committed to being “reliable, predictable, and determined” in supporting Qatar during challenging times. Read more
9am Doha Time
Kahramaa urges drivers to avoid parking near transmission and distribution stations
The Qatar General Electricity and Water Corporation (Kahramaa) has issued a clear and urgent appeal to all motorists, reminding them not to stop or park vehicles in front of electricity transmission and distribution stations across the country.
In an official advisory posted on its social media channels and supported by a prominent visual campaign yesterday, Kahramaa emphasised that such practices must be avoided to protect public safety and guarantee the smooth running of vital utility operations. Read more
8am Doha Time
Qatar Airways updates limited flight schedule to and from Doha until March 28
Qatar Airways announced in an update that it will operate a revised limited number of flights from March 18 to March 28, 2026.
"With Qatar Airways scheduled flight operations still temporarily suspended due to the closure of Qatari airspace, we want you to know that we are doing our utmost to support you with your journey, and to reunite you with your family and loved ones. We recognise this situation may be unsettling and are working to keep you moving while we prepare for the safe return of our usual operations." Read more
