Nigeria, March 2 -- Qatar has announced that its air force "successfully shot down" two Iranian fighter planes as well as seven ballistic missiles and five drones.

Qatari authorities said the jets are Russian-made SU24 fighter jets.

Qatar and other Gulf states had vowed to defend their territories from Iranian strikes after Iran continued to target US interests in the region.

Apart from Qatar, other Middle Eastern countries targeted by Iran include Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, UAE and Oman.

At least four American soldiers have been killed in such strikes while three American fighter jets were also brought down in Kuwait, which the US blamed on "friendly fire."

Iran has said it is only targeting American bases and interests in those countri...