Qatari authorities have detained at least 10 people suspected of spying for Iran, with the accused believed to have been working for the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), EFE reported on March 4, citing local media.

Investigators said the suspects were connected to two separate intelligence cells operating on behalf of the IRGC.

Seven of those detained are accused of gathering intelligence on military and infrastructure sites of strategic importance in Qatar. The remaining three are charged with planning and carrying out sabotage operations, including the use of drones.

The suspects reportedly gave confessions during interrogation confirming their contacts with the IRGC. Searches of their premises yielded specialised communications equipment and advanced technical devices, according to the report.

The arrests come at a sensitive time for Qatar, which hosts the Al Udeid air base, the largest US military facility in the Middle East. The base has been targeted by Iranian missile and drone strikes as part of Tehran's retaliatory campaign following the joint US-Israeli operation against Iran on February 28.

Qatar has found itself caught between its role as a key US military partner and its historically close diplomatic ties with Tehran. The emirate has previously served as a mediator between Washington and Tehran and hosted Iranian diplomats during nuclear negotiations.