This was the first time that Qatar engaged in an aerial combat mission. Sources say that the Iranian jets had switched to flying altitude to evade detection by the radar system. They were classified as hostile aircrafts and were shot down into Qatar’s territorial waters.

A search is underway for the crews.

‘No genuine desire’ to deescalate: Qatari Prime Minister

Qatar’s Prime Minister, Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, spoke with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Wednesday, describing the event as an “escalatory” one. He said that the actions of Iran show that they have “no genuine desire” to de-escalate or resolve the issue.

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

Iran’s attack on Middle East

Iran continues to step up its retaliatory attacks targeting American diplomatic missions in the Middle East ever since the US-Israeli strikes began.

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

According to regional governments, the Iranian regime has launched more than 400 ballistic missiles and over 1,000 drones at Gulf nations following the US–Israeli strike.

Saudi Arabia’s defense ministry on Thursday said that its forces intercepted and destroyed several drones flying over the country.

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 hospitalised in Israel.