Qatar said it had closed its airspace on Monday, June 23 as the conflict between Iran, Israel and the United States escalated. “As part of the State of Qatar's keenness to ensure the safety of its citizens, residents, and visitors, the relevant authorities announce the temporary suspension of air navigation in the country's airspace, as part of a set of precautionary measures taken based on recent developments in the region,” the country’s foreign ministry said in a statement. Doha, the capital of Qatar, has one of the world’s busiest airports, the Hamad International Airport, and RwandAir operates to the Middle Eastern city. Qatar’s decision to close its airspace came after the US State Department told American citizens in international locations to exercise increased caution, after the US bombed three nuclear sites in Iran on Saturday. Iran has threatened to retaliate. Media reports said there could be a threat to the US-run Coalition Air Operations Centre at Al-Udaid in Qatar. “The Ministry reiterates that the security and safety of everyone on Qatari soil remains a top priority, and that the State will not hesitate to take all necessary preventive and protective measures in this regard,” the statement read in part.
