Qatar Shot Down Iranian Bombers Two Minutes Before Striking A U.S. Airbase

• 5.03.2026, 9:30

Al-Udeid Air Base typically hosts about 10,000 U.S. troops.

Qatar's air force shot down Iranian bombers just minutes away from striking the largest military base where U.S. troops are stationed in the Middle East. The incident, which took place on Monday, CNN wrote, citing its sources.

According to the publication, Iran sent two Su-24 tactical bombers toward Al-Udeid Air Base, where 10,000 U.S. troops are normally stationed, and Ras Laffan, a key gas processing plant and pillar of the Qatari economy.

One source said the Iranian fighter jets were "two minutes" from their targets. A second source told CNN that the planes were visually identified and photographed "carrying bombs and guided munitions."

The planes were reportedly traveling at ultra-low altitude to avoid radar detection and did not respond to radio warnings.

Because of "time constraints" and "based on available evidence," the planes were "classified as hostile," after which a Qatari F-15 fighter jet engaged and shot down both planes.

The Iranian planes went down in Qatari territorial waters, and a search for the crews is underway.

As CNN notes, the attack was the first time manned aircraft have been used to strike a neighboring country since Khamenei's death - and the first time the Qatar Air Force has been involved in aerial combat.

General Dan Kane, chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, acknowledged the incident at a briefing Wednesday, without specifying the target of the Iranian bombers.

"This is the first time Qatari fighter jets have shot down two Iranian bombers en route to their destination," he said at a Pentagon briefing.