LIVE UPDATES: Qatarenergy To Stop Downstream Production

Doha, Qatar: Tension has surged across the Middle East following a series of US and Israeli attacks on Iran, which triggered retaliatory strikes.

Stay tuned for live updates

2:51pm Doha Time
Drone crashes near Omani port, two others downed: state media

Oman downed two drones, while another crashed near its Salalah port on Tuesday, state media said, as Iran continues to target civilian and military infrastructure in the Gulf over US and Israeli attacks. "A security source reported that two drones were shot down over the Dhofar Governorate, and a third crashed near the port of Salalah area, with no casualties or material damage reported," the Oman News Agency said in a statement.

2:15pm Doha Time
Qatar urges overseas citizens to register with Foreign Ministry

Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) has urged Qataris currently abroad to download its official app and register their details to ease communication in emergency situations. The ministry said its app is available for iOS and Android.

2pm Doha Time
QatarEnergy to stop downstream production

Further to the decision by QatarEnergy to stop production of liquefied natural gas (LNG) and associated products, the company announced its decision to stop the production of some downstream products in the State of Qatar. Read more

1:50pm Doha Time [KEY NOTES FROM PRESS CONFERENCE]
Qatar's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Dr Majed al-Ansari is currently holding a press conference today, March 3, in Doha.

Here are some of the key points from the press conference:

- Qatar was not notified of incoming missile attacks by Iran.
- The Iranian jets that were shot down yesterday were headed for Doha, before they were targeted, and entered Qatari airspace despite being warned.
- Qatar is still searching for the crew from the Iranian jets that were shot down yesterday.
- There is no ongoing communication with Iran.
- Almost 8,000 people are stranded in Qatar due to the airspace closure and on cruise ships
- Qatar's Foreign Ministry spokesperson said that the targeting is not limited to military facilities but includes all state territories.
- Qatar says there were attempts to attack Hamad International Airport, which failed.
- Qatar's FM spokesperson has added that Iranian targets are not just military but all of the country's territory.

1:25pm Doha Time
US closes embassies in several Arab countries amid escalating regional tensions

The United States has shut down several of its diplomatic missions across the Middle East and Gulf, and ordered nonessential staff and their families to leave some countries, amid ongoing regional military tensions. Read more

1:15pm Doha Time
UAE authorities contain fire caused by drone debris in Fujairah port

The authorities in the Emirate of Fujairah have confirmed that the sounds heard today, March 3, 2026, in various areas of the emirate were the result of successful air defense interception operations. Read more

12:09 Doha Time
Pakistan announces partial closure of commercial airspace for March

The Pakistan Airports Authority has announced the partial closure of its airspace for commercial flights until the end of March, amid widescale regional air disruptions due to the conflict in the Middle East. Read more

10:40am Doha Time
Fuel tank at Oman's Duqm port hit in drone attack

Oman News Agency published a breaking news stating that a security source reported a fuel tank at the country's Duqm commercial port has been hit in a drone attack.

There were no casualties and the material damage was contained, it said.

It is the latest attack on the facility located in the Al Wusta Governorate in central Oman since the start of the conflict.

On Sunday, another attack involving two drones wounded an expatriate worker.

10:30am Doha Time
Loud explosions heard in Iranian capital: AFP

Loud explosions rocked Iran's capital on Tuesday, AFP journalists said, as the war with the United States entered its fourth day.

The blasts were heard in northern Tehran but it was not immediately clear what was hit, the reporters said. Iranian media also reported explosions in Karaj city, outside of Tehran, as well as the central city of Isfahan.

10am Doha Time
Public heeds MoI warnings amid tensions

Citizens and residents throughout Qatar are exhibiting a strong adherence to the official safety directives issued by the Ministry of Interior (MoI), following guidance intended to safeguard lives and uphold public order amid evolving regional security developments. In a series of public announcements made in the past few days, authorities have reiterated that although the internal security situation is stable, precautionary measures are essential due to increased tensions in the region. Read more

9am Doha Time
Strikes hit downtown Tehran, near Iran's old parliament building: Report

Plumes of smoke rise following reported explosions in Tehran on March 3, 2026. (Photo by Atta Kenare / AFP)

Al Jazeera quoted the Iran's Shargh newspaper who reported an air strike in an area near Iran's old parliament building.

The report said that attack took place near the intersection of Valiasr and Jami Streets in downtown Tehran, where several cultural sites and museums are located.

There were no immediate reports on casualties from the strike.

7am Doha Time
Attack by two drones on US embassy in Saudi capital sparks 'limited' fire

An attack by two drones early Tuesday on the US embassy in Riyadh sparked a small fire, a Saudi defense ministry spokesman said in a statement, while Iran pressed on with retaliatory strikes across the Gulf.

The growing war began on Saturday after joint US-Israeli strikes on Iran that Tehran said killed dozens of civilians and the country's supreme leader.

“The US Embassy in Riyadh was attacked by two drones, according to initial assessments. The attack resulted in a limited fire and minor material damage to the building,” the statement said.

Two witnesses told AFP they saw fire engines around the embassy.

Earlier, witnesses said they had seen smoke over the building housing the US mission and heard loud explosions in the diplomatic quarter, home to foreign embassies in the Saudi capital.

A source close to the Saudi army, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss the sensitive issue, told AFP that Saudi air defenses intercepted four drones targeting Riyadh's diplomatic quarter in the attack.

In the aftermath, the US embassy issued shelter in place notifications for Jeddah, Riyadh and Dhahran and limited non-essential travel to any military installations in the region.

Later on Tuesday, the Saudi defense ministry said it had intercepted more than half a dozen drones near the capital of Riyadh and the city of Al-Kharj.

“Eight drones were intercepted and destroyed near the cities of Riyadh and Al-Kharj,” said defense ministry spokesman Major General Turki al-Malki on X.

The attacks in Saudi coincided with a wave of missiles and drones launched at Gulf states with the UAE defence ministry saying it was dealing with a barrage of ballistic missiles coming from Iran.

In Qatar, the military intercepted two ballistic missiles early Tuesday morning, the country's defence ministry said in a statement.

On Monday smoke poured out of Kuwait City's US embassy, an AFP correspondent saw.

Later, a Kuwait-based diplomat and a Western diplomat, speaking on condition of anonymity, told AFP the embassy had been damaged by several drones, while a second Kuwait-based diplomat said the building had been struck directly.

3am Doha Time
Qatar intercepts, neutralizes two ballistic missiles: Defence Ministry

The Ministry of Defence of the State of Qatar announced that, through high readiness, constant vigilance, and joint coordination among the relevant authorities, it successfully continued to intercept and neutralize two ballistic missiles that targeted several areas within the country.

The Ministry affirmed that the threat was dealt with immediately upon detection, in accordance with pre-approved operational plans, and that both missiles were intercepted before reaching Qatari territory. Read more

2:30am Doha Time
Qatar's International Media Office issues response to an article published by Bloomberg

The International Media Office of the State of Qatar issued a response to an article publised by Bloomberg.

The IMO stated that "contrary to reporting by Bloomberg on Monday evening, the inventory of Patriot interceptor missiles held by the Qatar Armed Forces has not been depleted and remains well-stocked." Read more

2am Doha Time
Qatar Interior Ministry announces extension of all entry visas for one month, waives fees

The Ministry of Interior announced the extension of all categories of entry visas that have expired or are about to expire for a period of one month, subject to further extension in line with developments, effective from Saturday, February 28, 2026.

In a statement, the Ministry confirmed that the extension will be processed automatically through the approved electronic systems, with exemption from fees, and without the need to visit the relevant departments or submit additional applications. Read more

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