US and UK Advise Citizens in Qatar to Shelter in Place Amid Rising Regional Tensions

The United States and the United Kingdom have issued shelter-in-place advisories for their citizens in Qatar, citing heightened caution following recent military developments in the Middle East.

The guidance comes after the US conducted airstrikes on three nuclear sites in Iran over the weekend, escalating tensions in an already volatile regional landscape.

The US Embassy in Qatar posted the advisory online Monday morning, recommending that Americans “shelter in place until further notice” out of “an abundance of caution.” The British government followed with a similar notice for its nationals, referencing the US alert as the basis for its guidance.

The advisories were issued as the US State Department warned citizens worldwide to exercise increased caution, noting the potential for demonstrations or threats against American interests abroad. The warning did not cite a specific threat in Qatar but acknowledged the broader security risks tied to the recent escalation between the US, Israel, and Iran.

Iran has vowed to retaliate against the US following the strikes, which involved B-2 bombers targeting underground nuclear facilities. Iranian military leaders have issued strong statements condemning the attacks and warning of potential action against US military and strategic assets.

Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs responded to the alerts by affirming the country’s internal stability. In a statement, the ministry said:

“The advisory from a number of embassies to their citizens does not reflect the existence of specific threats. The security situation in the country is stable, and the relevant authorities are closely monitoring the situation and are ready to take all necessary measures to ensure the safety of citizens, residents, and visitors.”

Qatar hosts Al Udeid Air Base, the largest US military installation in the Middle East and a strategic hub for regional operations. The base is home to around 8,000 US troops and plays a key role in American defense and intelligence activities in the region. Roughly 40,000 US military personnel are stationed across the Middle East.

Following the embassy advisories, several institutions in Qatar, including local universities, issued their own recommendations asking individuals to remain indoors and limit non-essential movement.

The situation underscores Qatar’s unique position in the region. The Gulf state maintains strong diplomatic and defense ties with the US while also preserving functional relations with Iran. This dual alignment has often placed Qatar in a delicate balancing act during regional disputes.

As of now, no incidents have been reported in Qatar related to the weekend’s military actions, and embassies have not provided timelines for lifting the advisories. Local authorities continue to coordinate with international partners to monitor potential developments.

With input from BBC, CBS News, and FOX News.