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Qatar says it shot down 2 Iranian jets amid wider escalation in West Asia

Earlier, the US Central Command (CENTCOM) shared a video on the social media platform X, claiming to have hit Iranian jets under ongoing Operation Epic Fury.

Updated on: Mar 02, 2026 09:44 PM IST
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Qatar's Defence Ministry claimed on Monday that its forces “successfully shot down” two fighter aircraft incoming from Iran.

Smoke rises after reported Iranian missile attacks, following United States and Israel strikes on Iran, as seen from Doha, Qatar, March 1, 2026. (REUTERS)
Smoke rises after reported Iranian missile attacks, following United States and Israel strikes on Iran, as seen from Doha, Qatar, March 1, 2026. (REUTERS)

According to a report by Al Jazeera, the Qatari defence systems also intercepted seven ballistic missiles and five drones.

Earlier in the day, the US and Israel pounded targets across Iran, bombing the country’s ballistic missile sites and wiping out fighter jets and warships as part of an intensifying military campaign following the killing of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

US shares video of bombing

The US Central Command (CENTCOM) shared a video on the social media platform X, claiming to have hit Iranian jets under ongoing Operation Epic Fury.

“U.S. forces are taking bold action to eliminate imminent threats posed by the Iranian regime. Strikes continue,” CENTCOM wrote in the post along with the video.

Blasts rattled windows across Iran and sent plumes of smoke high into the sky above the capital, Tehran. More than 550 people have been killed since the start of the strikes that killed the country's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and other senior leaders, the Iranian Red Crescent Society said.

Iran retaliated by firing missiles and drones at Israel and at US military installations around the Gulf, and also at the Saudi capital and the global business hub of Dubai. Hezbollah also joined in the fight, attacking Israel with rockets, to which Tel Aviv retaliated by bombing the areas held by it in the Southern suburbs of Beirut. The Lebanese government banned Hezbollah’s military activities.

Earlier Sunday, Iran selected a 66-year-old cleric, Ayatollah Alireza Arafi, to join the three-member leadership council that will govern the country until a new supreme leader is selected.

 
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Shivam Pratap Singh

Shivam Pratap Singh is a digital journalist who works as a Deputy Chief Content Producer with Hindustan Times. Having previously worked with various platforms covering national, international as well as sports events, he blends in various topics to easy to read news pieces for the benefit of the reader. Shivam holds a Master's degree in International Relations from Jamia Millia Islamia, bringing in a unique perspective for whatever is happening around the world. An avid reader, he can be seen immersed in books and book shops while not working. Shivam treats every topic almost equally but loves to right about foreign affairs and politics of India. He has over half-a-decade of experience in digital journalism though his career started in print.

Get the latest headlines from US news and global updates from Pakistan, Nepal, UK, Bangladesh, Russia and US Iran war Live, get all the latest headlines in one place on Hindustan Times.
Get the latest headlines from US news and global updates from Pakistan, Nepal, UK, Bangladesh, Russia and US Iran war Live, get all the latest headlines in one place on Hindustan Times.
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