Iranian bombers came within two minutes of striking the largest base housing US troops in the Middle East before the Qatari air force shot down the aircraft, according to a new report.
The SU-24 planes from Iran’s Revolutionary Guard had targeted al-Udeid Air Base — which is home to around 10,000 US service personnel — on Monday until they were intercepted by a Qatari F-15 jet and the military’s warplanes, CNN reported.
One source told the outlet that the SU-24 planes were “carrying bombs and guided munitions.”
The Iranian planes dropped to an altitude of around 80 feet in a bid to avoid detection before Qatar responded by deploying its fleet after classifying the planes as “hostile,” that source said.
Smoke rises from an area in the direction of Al Udeid Air Base, which houses the Qatar Emiri air force and foreign forces including the US, in Doha on February 28, 2026. AFP via Getty Images
The Iraqi pro-Iranian group Saraya Awliya al-Dam claims to have attacked the American base at the Erbil International Airport on March 1, 2026. Julia Zimmermann/SIPA/Shutterstock
Smoke from an apparent missile interception on February 28, 2026, in Doha, Qatar. Getty ImagesThe SU-24s were downed in Qatar’s waters and a search for the crews was launched.
The operation marked the first time Qatar’s air force had engaged in air-to-air combat.
“Qatari fighters for the first time have shot down two Iranian bombers on route to their location,” Dan Caine, chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, told reporters.
Qatar also intercepted seven ballistic missiles and five drones fired by Iran.
“The threat was addressed immediately upon detection, in accordance with the operational plan, as all missiles were shot down before reaching their targets,” the Qatar government said.
Iran hasn’t commented on the downing of two of its planes.
