The United States Embassy in Qatar on Monday issued a stark advisory for all American citizens to shelter in place “until further notice,” following Iran’s pledge to retaliate against US airstrikes that targeted its nuclear facilities over the weekend.
The directive came just hours after Qatar’s foreign ministry announced the temporary closure of its airspace, citing rising security concerns in light of Tehran’s threats. The ministry stated that the measure was taken to “ensure the safety of citizens, residents, and visitors,” adding that it “will not hesitate to take all necessary preventive measures within this context.”
“The competent Qatari authorities announce the temporary suspension of air traffic in the country’s airspace,” the ministry said, noting that further updates would be shared as the situation evolved.
The US embassy said its shelter-in-place guidance was issued “out of an abundance of caution,” though it refrained from disclosing any specific threat intelligence. The United Kingdom’s embassy in Qatar followed suit with a similar warning to British nationals.
Qatar is home to Al Udeid Air Base, the largest US military installation in the Middle East, where around 10,000 American service members are stationed. President Donald Trump visited the base in May 2025, marking the first time a US president had toured the facility since its establishment.
The advisories follow a broader security alert from the US State Department, which on Sunday issued a Worldwide Caution for American travelers, warning of “the potential for demonstrations against US citizens and interests abroad.”
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