Qatar waives all traffic violations recorded on Monday, June 23

All traffic violations recorded in Qatar on Monday, June 23, will be waived for vehicle drivers, the country’s Ministry of Interior has announced.

The decision is being taken “in view of the exceptional circumstances experienced in the country”.

“This decision comes as a gesture of appreciation for the swift and responsible response demonstrated by citizens and residents in promptly reaching their workplaces and service centres, under pressing circumstances that required urgent movement by a broad segment of the public to fulfil their national and professional duties,” the ministry said.

The authority also said that this is a one-time waiver that “applies exclusively to violations committed on the specified day”.

The ministry also reiterated the importance of continued compliance with traffic laws and regulations, and the need to respect the rights of all road users at all times.

Iran launched missiles at a US base in Qatar on Monday in retaliation for American strikes on key nuclear facilities.

Qatar, which lies 190 kilometres south of Iran and is home to the largest US military facility in the Middle East, said its "air defences successfully intercepted a missile attack targeting Al Udeid Air Base".

Iran's National Security Council confirmed having targeted the base "in response to the US aggressive and insolent action against Iran's nuclear sites and facilities". 

After more than a week of Israeli strikes on nuclear and military targets across Iran, the United States joined its ally's campaign on Sunday, carrying out attacks on three key Iranian nuclear facilities, including on an underground uranium enrichment facility at Fordow using massive bunker-busting bombs.

Following the strikes, Qatar, Bahrain and Kuwait closed their airspaces. Flight operations in Dubai, too, were affected.

Meanwhile, US and UK governments told citizens based in the Gulf state to shelter in place.

Iran's foreign minister said on Tuesday that his country's attack on the US airbase in Qatar was not against its Gulf neighbour but an act of "self-defence" after US strikes on nuclear sites.

"The missile operation by the Iranian Armed Forces targeting Al-Udeid base was carried out within the framework of Iran's legitimate right to self-defence," Araghchi said in a phone call with his Qatari counterpart Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani.