Iran’s Revolutionary Guard sent two Soviet-era Su-24 tactical bombers toward Qatar on Monday morning. The aircraft headed for Al-Udeid Air Base, the largest US military base in the Middle East. About 10,000 American troops usually operate from the base.
The bombers also moved toward Ras Laffan, a major natural gas processing center that supports Qatar’s economy.
Qatari defense systems detected the aircraft as they approached the country’s airspace. Officials reported that the jets were only two minutes away from their targets.
Surveillance teams visually identified the aircraft. They also photographed the jets carrying bombs and guided munitions.
Qatar’s air force sent radio warnings to the pilots. The Iranian aircraft did not respond. The bombers also dropped to an altitude of about 80 feet, likely to avoid radar detection.
Qatari Fighter Jets Shoot Down the Aircraft
Qatari officials quickly classified the aircraft as hostile. The air force then scrambled fighter jets to intercept them.
A Qatari F-15 fighter jet engaged the bombers in air-to-air combat. The fighter successfully shot down both aircraft.
The Iranian jets later crashed into Qatar’s territorial waters.
Qatari authorities immediately launched a search operation. Officials are still trying to locate the crews of the downed aircraft.
The clash marked a historic moment for Qatar. It was the first air-to-air combat mission in the country’s military history.
Regional Tensions Continue to Rise
The incident happened during a period of rising tensions in the region. The crisis began after US and Israeli airstrikes on Iran.
Iran later launched hundreds of missiles and drones toward Arab states in the Gulf.
During the first wave of attacks, strikes destroyed the compound of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei in Tehran.
Since then, Iran has mainly relied on missiles and drones to respond. However, the mission over Qatar involved manned combat aircraft, which made the incident unusual.
Regional governments say Iran has fired more than 400 ballistic missiles and over 1,000 drones toward Gulf states. Many attacks targeted cities, energy facilities, airports, and hotels.
Most defense systems intercepted the projectiles. However, one missile struck a temporary operations center at Kuwait’s Shuaiba Port. The strike killed six US service members.
Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani condemned the attack. He warned that Iran’s actions could pull neighboring countries into a wider conflict.
