Qatar's Ministry of Defence claimed on February 28 that it had successfully intercepted all missiles fired at its territory, Al Bilad reported, citing the Qatar News Agency.

The ministry said threats were engaged immediately upon detection in accordance with a pre-approved security plan, with all missiles destroyed before reaching Qatari soil.

Qatar is home to Al Udeid Air Base, the largest US military installation in the Middle East, housing the forward headquarters of US Central Command.

The confirmation makes Qatar the second Gulf state after Israel to officially confirm interceptions of Iranian missiles on February 28, as Tehran's retaliatory operation spread across the region following the joint US-Israeli strikes on Tehran, Isfahan and Qom earlier in the day.

The UAE Ministry of Interior issued an extreme missile alert ordering all residents to seek shelter, with explosions reported near Al Dhafra air base in Abu Dhabi. Reports also circulated of strikes targeting the US Fifth Fleet headquarters in Bahrain's Juffair district, though no official confirmation had been issued at time of publication.

Iran's Supreme National Security Council said its armed forces had begun a "crushing response" and warned strikes on Iranian cities were expected to continue. Iraq, Syria and other regional states closed their airspace as the conflict widened across the Middle East.

This story is developing. Details remain unverified and subject to change.