Iran has responded to reports of Tehran calling on residents in Qatar to evacuate “as soon as possible,” claiming an area within Doha had become a “legitimate target.”
State broadcaster IRIB on Sunday, March 22, apologised after deleting an earlier warning urging Doha residents to evacuate immediately, claiming the city had become a “legitimate target” due to the presence of U.S. forces
In a clarification posted on its Telegram channel, the outlet said: “This news is denied,” adding that the earlier report had been removed.
“We apologize to our readers for publishing a post about an evacuation warning in Doha. In the absence of official confirmation, the report is denied and has been removed.”
Before it was taken down, the initial warning, which cited U.S. presence and media activity, had directly addressed “citizens and residents of Doha.”
It claimed the city had become a “legitimate target” due to the presence of U.S. forces and interests, as well as media activity it described as “inciting against the Iranian people.”
“We ask everyone to leave this area as soon as possible,” the announcement read.
It also warned that media outlets accused of incitement would bear “full responsibility.” A map accompanying the post highlighted several locations, including media facilities such as Al Jazeera offices.
Later, Qatar’s Ministry of Interior, in a statement on X, called on the public to refrain from spreading rumours or sharing unreliable information.
“Always verify the accuracy of news before circulating it, relying solely on official channels for correct information.”
Strike on Qatar gas facility
The false warning came days after Qatar condemned what it described as a “brutal” Iranian missile strike on Ras Laffan Industrial City.
In a statement issued March 18, Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed its condemnation and denunciation of the Iranian attack, which caused fires resulting in significant damage to the facility.”
Doha said it “reserves its right to respond” under Article 51 of the United Nations Charter, stressing it would take “all necessary measures to protect its sovereignty, security, and the safety of its citizens and residents.”
Also Read: Several Gulf States Issue ‘Final Warning’ to Iran
Following the strike, Qatar ordered Iranian military-linked officials to leave the country within 24 hours, declaring the military attaché, security attaché, and associated staff persona non grata.
The foreign ministry said the move came in response to “repeated Iranian targeting and the blatant aggression against the State of Qatar.”
Saudi Arabia has since taken similar action, also expelling Iranian embassy personnel, including the military attaché.
Regional condemnation of Iranian attacks
The developments come as a group of Arab and Islamic countries, earlier this week, issued a joint statement condemning Iranian strikes across the region.
Foreign ministers meeting in Riyadh said the attacks targeted “residential areas and key civilian infrastructure, including oil facilities, desalination plants, airports, and diplomatic premises.”
The statement urged Iran to halt its attacks and comply with UN Security Council Resolution 2817 (2026), calling for an “immediate halt to attacks” and an end to threats against neighbouring states.
Iranian military officials have also issued direct warnings to other Gulf states. Spokesman for Iran’s Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters Ebrahim Zolfaghari said that Tehran “will attack the origin of any invasion against our territory and national sovereignty.”
Also Read: Trump Fast-Tracks New $16.4 Billion Weapons Sales for Arab Nations as Iran War Costs Mount
He warned the UAE specifically: “In case the country becomes the origin of a repeated invasion… Iran’s powerful armed forces will deliver crushing blows to Ras Al-Khaimah.”
Ongoing attacks and interceptions
As of March 22, Saudi Arabia said it had intercepted another drone over its Eastern Province, part of what it described as a series of interceptions reported roughly hourly.
At the same time, Israeli emergency services reported a “direct hit” in the city of Arad.
“This is a strike in the city centre between residential buildings… Extensive damage was caused at the site,” Fire authorities said.
A hospital in the area declared a state of emergency, with at least 70 people reported injured, including a five-year-old girl in serious condition.
