Iranian bombers ‘2 minutes’ from major US base before Qatari F-15s shoot them down in first air combat


3 minutes of readingUpdated: Mar 6, 2026 11:49 am IST

As the war between the United States and Israel against Iran intensifies, attacks on Gulf nations have increased. Qatar, home to one of the largest US bases, was minutes away from being turned into rubble but was saved by quick Qatari action on Monday morning.

The war began with joint US-Israeli military action against Iran on February 28. The attack resulted in the assassination of Iran’s supreme leader, Ayotollah Ali Khamenei.

‘Two minutes away’

Iran’s Revolutionary Guard had sent two tactical bombers, the Soviet-made SU-24, toward Al-Udeid air base and were “two minutes” from their targets when a Qatari F-15 fighter jet engaged them in a “dogfight” before shooting them down.

This was the first time Qatar participated in an air combat mission. Sources say the Iranian planes had changed to flying altitude to evade detection by the radar system. They were classified as hostile aircraft and were shot down in Qatari territorial waters.

A search for the crews is underway.

‘There is no genuine desire’ to reduce tension: Qatari PM

Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani spoke with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Wednesday and described the event as “escalating.” He said Iran’s actions show they have “no genuine desire” to reduce tension or resolve the problem.

“Rather, he seeks to inflict harm on his neighbors and drag them into a war that is not their own,” Al Thani said, according to a readout of the call.

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Iran’s attack on the Middle East

Iran continues to escalate its retaliatory attacks against American diplomatic missions in the Middle East since attacks between the United States and Israel began.

On Tuesday, Iran launched a drone near the US consulate in Dubai. The Dubai Media Office later shared footage informing the public that the fire had been extinguished.

According to regional governments, the Iranian regime has launched more than 400 ballistic missiles and more than 1,000 drones against Gulf nations following the attack between the United States and Israel.

The Saudi Ministry of Defense on Thursday He said his forces intercepted and destroyed several drones flying over the country.

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More than 1,000 people have been killed in Iran, according to the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA). The toll includes 183 children, most of them under the age of 10, according to the latest figures released by HRANA on Thursday, CNN reported.

At least 1,473 Israelis have been hospitalized in Israel.

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