ISTANBUL

Qatar said Wednesday morning that its armed forces intercepted a new missile attack targeting the country, the Defense Ministry said in a statement on US social media company X, without providing further details.

Explosions were heard in the sky over the capital Doha as air defenses engaged incoming missiles, according to Qatar-based Al Jazeera channel.

The interceptions occurred shortly after the Interior Ministry issued a public warning about a heightened security threat.

The warning marked the first security alert issued by the ministry on Wednesday.

Regional tensions have escalated since Feb. 28, when Israel and the US launched a joint attack on Iran, killing more than 1,200 people and injuring another 10,000.

Tehran later retaliated with drone and missile strikes targeting Israel, Jordan, Iraq and Gulf countries hosting US military assets.

*Writing by Rania Abushamala in Istanbul