Ekong trapped in Qatar as all flights have been suspended and airspace has been shut

FORMER Super Eagles skipper William Troost-Ekong has is struggling to get out of the Middle Eastern state of Qatar as political tension in the region intensifies and the prospect of all-out war looms.

On Saturday, Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khameni was killed in a joint air raid carried out by Israeli and US forces. In a swift response, eight people were then killed in a strike in central Israel as Iran vowed to step-up its retaliation, creating the prospect of an all-out Middle East war.

In a massive escalation of the crisis, Iran has also launched retaliatory missile and drone attacks on multiple countries hosting US troops deployed across the Middle East. Ekong currently plays his football for Qatari club Al Ahli SC after leaving Saudi Arabia in January, which has put him in the firing line as Qatar's Al-Udeid air base is the largest US facility in the region

Iran fired missiles at al-Udeid last June following US strikes targeting Iranian nuclear facilities and has already done so again this time around. On Saturday, explosions were heard over central Doha and near al-Udeid, with the Gulf emirate saying that an Iranian missile attack targeted its territory.

With the prospect of Qatar being dragged into the war, foreigners in the country are trying to leave but cannot do so as all flights have been cancelled and air space has been shut down. Qatar’s defence ministry has revealed that its air defence system blocked the missiles that were targeted against the country.

With the growing tension, it is likely that Iran withdraw from this year's World Cup as its three matches are due to be played in the US. Also, the Super Eagles' participation in a friendly four nation tournament due to take place in Amman later this month, involving Jordan, Iran and Costa Rica is now in doubt.