Qatar says Iranian missile attack thwarted, child injured

People walk next to a symbolic mockup of an Iranian missile and an Iranian flag at Imam Hussein Square in Tehran, Iran, July 12, 2026. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency) via REUTERS

Qatar's defence ministry said its armed forces thwarted an Iranian missile attack early on Friday, while the interior ministry said a child has been injured by shrapnel resulting from interception operations.

The interior ministry said on X the child was receiving medical treatment.

Several explosion-like sounds were heard in the capital Doha as a government security alert was sent to mobile phones, according to a witness.

Iran has stepped up attacks on Gulf countries following US strikes on its territory, targeting military facilities used by US forces in the region.