Interceptors were seen over the Qatari capital's downtown area downing two projectiles, an AFP journalist said, as Iran presses its retaliatory air campaign against Gulf states.

The Gulf state's defence ministry said its military had "intercepted missile attack which targeted State of Qatar".

Earlier, the interior ministry said in a statement it was "evacuating several key areas as a temporary precautionary measure, within the framework of ensuring public safety until the danger has passed".

In Doha's central Musheireb district some residents received phone alerts telling them to "evacuate the area immediately... to the nearest safest place as a temporary precaution".

In the central area law enforcement were out on the streets and some areas were cordoned off.

The oil-rich Gulf has borne the brunt of Iran's attacks in response to US-Israeli strikes that sparked the Middle East war, with Tehran targeting US assets but also civilian infrastructure.